ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether HA affects the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines of synoviocytes. Methods FLS were derived from the SD mice with knee OA by papaya enzyme and stimulated by IL-1. Then, FLS were cultured with 600 ~ 800 kDa HA. Anti-CD44 blocking experiments were determined. The expressionsof TNF-γ, IL-1 , IL-6 , MMP-3 , MMP-9 , CX3CL1 , CCL11 , CCL2 , CXCL12 were detected by RT-PCR. In addition, the tunel test was used to detect the apoptosis rate. Results MMP-3, CX3CL1 and CCL2 gene expression were down regulated by HMW-HA in unstimulated FLS and TNF-α,MMP-3, CX3CL1 and CCL2 expression were decreased by HMW-HA in IL-1-stimulated FLS. CD44 blocking inhibited the down-regulatory effects of HMW-HA. Besides, HMW-HA promoted cell apoptosis under condition of inflammation. Conclusion HMW-HA has an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and promoting apoptosis, possibly through the interaction of CD44 and HMW-HA.