[Effects of bone marrow-derived mast cells on expressions of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan in co-cultured chondrocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of the bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) on the expression of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in chondrocytes co-cultured with BMMCs.


METHODS
Primarily cultured mouse BMMCs at 4 weeks and the second passage of chondrocytes were plated in a Transwell co-cultured system at a ratio of 1:10 in the presence or absence of sodium cromoglycate (DSCG) or compound 48/80 (C48/80). The chondrocytes were harvested and lysed for detecting type II collagen expression with ELISA and Western blotting and GAG expression using 1,9 dimethylmethylene blue (DBM).


RESULTS
After a 24-hour culture, the chondrocytes co-cultured with BMMCs showed similar expression levels of type II collagen and GAG to the control group regardless of the presence of DSCG (P>0.05). Compared with chondrocytes cultured alone or with BMMCs, the co-cultured chondrocytes in the presence of C48/80 showed significantly lower expressions of type II collagen and GAG (P<0.01). Such results did not vary significantly as the culture time was extended to 48 h.


CONCLUSIONS
C48/80-activated BMMCs can reduce the expression of type II collagen and GAG in chondrocytes in the co-culture system.
Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. E-mail: ouyangqing1988@163.com.
Qingqing
Q
Ouyang
Jinjun
J
Zhao
Min
M
Yang
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice
D024043:Collagen Type II; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans