The role of microtubules in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes under hydrostatic pressure.

Chondrocytes of the articular cartilage sense mechanical factors associated with joint loading, such as hydrostatic pressure, and maintain the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix by regulating the metabolism of proteoglycans (PGs) and collagens. Intermittent hydrostatic pressure stimulates, while continuous high hydrostatic pressure inhibits, the biosynthesis of PGs. High continuous hydrostatic pressure also changes the structure of cytoskeleton and Golgi complex in cultured chondrocytes. Using microtubule (MT)-affecting drugs nocodazole and taxol as tools we examined whether MTs are involved in the regulation of PG synthesis in pressurized primary chondrocyte monolayer cultures. Disruption of the microtubular array by nocodazole inhibited [(35)S]sulfate incorporation by 39-48%, while MT stabilization by taxol caused maximally a 17% inhibition. Continuous hydrostatic pressure further decreased the synthesis by 34-42% in nocodazole-treated cultures. This suggests that high pressure exerts its inhibitory effect through mechanisms independent of MTs. On the other hand, nocodazole and taxol both prevented the stimulation of PG synthesis by cyclic 0. 5 Hz, 5 MPa hydrostatic pressure. The drugs did not affect the structural and functional properties of the PGs, and none of the treatments significantly affected cell viability, as indicated by the high level of PG synthesis 24-48 h after the release of drugs and/or high hydrostatic pressure. Our data on two-dimensional chondrocyte cultures indicate that inhibition of PG synthesis by continuous high hydrostatic pressure does not interfere with the MT-dependent vesicle traffic, while the stimulation of synthesis by cyclic pressure does not occur if the dynamic nature of MTs is disturbed by nocodazole. Similar phenomena may operate in cartilage matrix embedded chondrocytes.

Immobilisation causes longlasting matrix changes both in the immobilised and contralateral joint cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: The capacity of articular cartilage matrix to recover during 50 weeks of remobilisation after an atrophy caused by 11 weeks of immobilisation of the knee (stifle) joint in 90 degrees flexion starting at the age of 29 weeks, was studied in young beagle dogs. METHODS: Proteoglycan concentration (uronic acid) and synthesis ([35S]sulphate incorporation) were determined in six and three knee joint surface locations, respectively. Proteoglycans extracted from the cartilages were characterised by chemical determinations, gel filtration, and western blotting for chondroitin sulphate epitope 3B3. RESULTS: The proteoglycan concentrations that were reduced in all sample sites immediately after the immobilisation, remained 14-28% lower than controls after 50 weeks of remobilisation in the patella, the summit of medial femoral condyle, and the superior femoropatellar surface. In the contralateral joint, there was a 49% increase of proteoglycans in the inferior femoropatellar surface after remobilisation, while a 34% decrease was simultaneously noticed on the summit of the medial femoral condyle. Total proteoglycan synthesis was not significantly changed after immobilisation or 50 weeks' remobilisation in the treated or contralateral joint, compared with age matched controls. The chondroitin 6- to 4- sulphate ratio was reduced by immobilisation both in the radioactively labelled and the total tissue proteoglycans. In the remobilised joint, this ratio was restored in femur, while in tibia it remained at a level lower than controls. Neither immobilisation nor remobilisation induced epitopes recognised by the monoclonal antibody 3B3 on native (undigested) proteoglycans. CONCLUSION: These results show that the depletion of proteoglycans observed after 11 weeks of immobilisation was not completely restored in certain surface sites after 50 weeks of remobilisation. The significant changes that developed in the contralateral joint during the remobilisation period give further support to the idea that a permanent alteration of matrix metabolism results even from a temporary modification of loading pattern in immature joints.