Regulation of tenascin-C expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cultured human osteoarthritis chondrocytes

Expression of tenascin-C reappears in articular cartilage of persons with osteoarthritis (OA), while it is almost abolished in normal mature cartilage. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine, is upregulated in OA cartilage and is involved in the progression of OA, and stimulates tenascin-C expression in other types of cells. We investigated regulation of tenascin-C expression by TNF-alpha through nuclear factor-alphaB (NF-kappaB) in OA cartilage in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Human articular cartilages were obtained from patients with OA and immunofluorescence examination of tenascin-C and the activated RelA subunit was performed. Cultured chondrocytes isolated from human OA cartilage were treated with TNF-alpha and with SN50. Activation of RelA subunit of NF-kappaB was examined by immunolabeling. Changes in tenascin-C protein concentrations were determined by immunofluorescence of cells after monensin treatment and Western blot analysis of the cell lysates, and mRNA levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Increased intensity of tenascin-C staining was observed in the damaged cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Activated RelA staining in chondrocyte nuclei was prominent in tenascin-C-positive areas of OA cartilage. Treatment of cultured chondrocytes by TNF-alpha induced translocation of activated RelA to the nuclei, followed by upregulation of tenascin-C expression in both mRNA and protein. Treatment with SN50 inhibited increases of RelA and tenascin-C expression in chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha stimulated tenascin-C expression through NF-kappaB signaling with RelA activation in cultured OA chondrocytes, suggesting involvement of tenascin-C in OA cartilage remodeling.