Vascular endothelial growth factor activities on osteoarthritic chondrocytes |
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Authors: | Pulsatelli L Dolzani P Silvestri T Frizziero L Facchini A Meliconi R |
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Institution: | Laboratorio di Immunologia e Genetica, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy. |
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Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the role of VEGF in cartilage pathophysiology. METHODS: VEGF release from chondrocytes in the presence of IL-1beta, TGFbeta and IL-10 was detected by immunoassay. VEGF receptor -1 and -2 expression and VEGF ability to modulate caspase -3 and cathepsin B expression were detected by immunohistochemistry on cartilage biopsies and cartilage explants. VEGF effects on chondrocyte proliferation was analysed by a fluorescent dye that binds nucleic acids. RESULTS: VEGF production by osteoartritis (OA) chondrocytes was significantly reduced by IL-1beta while it was increased in the presence of TGFbeta. Cartilage VEGFR-1 immunostaining was significantly downregulated in 'early' OA patients compared to normal controls (NC). VEGFR-2 expression was negligible both in OA and in NC. VEGF decreased the expression of caspase-3 and cathepsin B, whereas it did not affect proliferation. CONCLUSION: VEGF is able to down-modulate chondrocyte activities related to catabolic events involved in OA cartilage degradation. |
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