Lymphokine-mediated suppression of chondrocyte glycosaminoglycan and protein synthesis

Spontaneously released and T cell mitogen augmented lymphokine produced by human mononuclear cells has been shown to induce a concentration dependent reversible suppression of chondrocyte glycosaminoglycan and protein synthesis without significantly enhancing chondrocyte catabolic activity. The modulatory factor(s) is of T cell origin and is trypsin, pronase, and heat sensitive. Prostaglandin inhibitors failed to influence factor formation or activity. Although eluting from Sephadex G-100 over a wide range, peak activity had an approximate molecular weight of 53,000 and appeared distinct from recognized forms of lymphotoxin.