title: Effect of nerve growth factor on cultured human chondrocytes.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in several joint diseases. It participates in nociception and neurogenic inflammation and its concentrations increase in synovial fluid and tissue from arthritis. However, data about its role in articular cartilage are scant and conflicting. This study analysed effects of different NGF concentrations on cultured human chondrocytes by evaluating cell proliferation, cell phenotype, and gene expression. The MTT test excluded an influence on cell viability. Alcian blue and S100 staining demonstrated that NGF may induce de-differentiation of the chondrocyte phenotype. Real-time PCR showed that NGF did not influence gene expression of type I, II and XI collagen, TGF-β, IGF-1 and metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, while it reduced the expression of MMP-3. These findings show that NGF may have uncertain effects in human chondrocytes. Further investigations by wider gene expression and protein synthesis analyses are required to determine how chondrocytes may be influenced by NGF.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.affiliation: Clinical Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Senesi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.affiliation: Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skrami
authors.affiliation: MD, Maxillofacial and Orthopaedic Basic Science Lab, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sollazzo
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor