Preferential expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 55 (TNF-R55) on human articular chondrocytes: selective transcriptional upregulation of TNF-R75 by proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and basis fibroblast growth factor.

Objective: Articular cartilage is the main target for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1(IL-1) actions. These cytokines are believed to mediate cartilage degradation in arthritis. We studied the expression of TNF receptors (TNF-R) on human articular chondrocytes and their regulation by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).