Apelin plays a catabolic role on articular cartilage: In vivo and in vitro studies

  • Authors:
    • Peng-Fei Hu
    • Wei-Ping Chen
    • Jing-Li Tang
    • Jia-Peng Bao
    • Li-Dong Wu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2010     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000473
  • Pages: 357-363
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Abstract

Adipokines play key roles in the regulation of bone growth, obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, and HIV infection. As a newly discovered hormone in the adipokine family, the precise role of apelin on articular cartilage metabolism is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of apelin on articular cartilage. In vitro, we examined the effects of apelin on normal chondrocyte proliferation and gene expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In vivo, by intra-articular injection with apelin, we examined MMP-3, -9, collagen II and IL-1β at both gene and protein levels. Furthermore, we measured the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of ADAMTS-4 and -5 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 and 5) and the proteoglycan content in articular cartilage. Apelin stimulated the proliferation of chondrocytes and significantly increased mRNA levels of MMP-1, -3, -9 and IL-1β in vitro. Intra-articular injection with apelin in vivo up-regulated the expression of MMP-3, -9, and IL-1β as well as decreased the level of collagen II. Additionally, after treatment with apelin, mRNA levels of ADAMTS-4 and -5 markedly increased and depletion of proteoglycan in articular cartilage was found by histological assessment. These findings suggest that apelin plays a catabolic role in cartilage metabolism and is a risk factor in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis.

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September 2010
Volume 26 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Hu P, Chen W, Tang J, Bao J and Wu L: Apelin plays a catabolic role on articular cartilage: In vivo and in vitro studies . Int J Mol Med 26: 357-363, 2010
APA
Hu, P., Chen, W., Tang, J., Bao, J., & Wu, L. (2010). Apelin plays a catabolic role on articular cartilage: In vivo and in vitro studies . International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 26, 357-363. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000473
MLA
Hu, P., Chen, W., Tang, J., Bao, J., Wu, L."Apelin plays a catabolic role on articular cartilage: In vivo and in vitro studies ". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 26.3 (2010): 357-363.
Chicago
Hu, P., Chen, W., Tang, J., Bao, J., Wu, L."Apelin plays a catabolic role on articular cartilage: In vivo and in vitro studies ". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 26, no. 3 (2010): 357-363. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000473