Adrenomedullin and truncated peptide adrenomedullin(22-52) affect chondrocyte response to apoptotis in vitro: downregulation of FAS protects chondrocyte from cell death.

Chondrocyte apoptosis may have a pivotal role in the development of osteoarthritis. Interest has increased in the use of anti-apoptotic compounds to protect against osteoarthritis development. In this work, we investigated the effect of adrenomedullin (AM), a 52 amino-acid hormone peptide, and a 31 amino-acid truncated form, AM(22-52), on chondrocyte apoptosis.

Proprotein convertase furin inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 13 in a TGFβ-dependent manner and limits osteoarthritis in mice.

Cartilage loss in osteoarthritis (OA) results from altered local production of growth factors and metalloproteases (MMPs). Furin, an enzyme involved in the protein maturation of MMPs, might regulate chondrocyte function. Here, we tested the effect of furin on chondrocyte catabolism and the development of OA.

Serotonin Is Involved in Autoimmune Arthritis through Th17 Immunity and Bone Resorption.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that results in a disabling and painful condition as it progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Although the cause of the disease is still unknown, evidence argues that autoimmunity plays an important part. There are increasing but contradictory views regarding serotonin being associated with activation of immunoinflammatory pathways and the onset of autoimmune reactions.

Loss of sclerostin promotes osteoarthritis in mice via β-catenin-dependent and -independent Wnt pathways.

Introduction: Sclerostin is a Wnt inhibitor produced by osteocytes that regulates bone formation. Because bone tissue contributes to the development of osteoarthritis (OA), we investigated the role of sclerostin in bone and cartilage in a joint instability model in mice.

Methods: Ten-week-old SOST-knockout (SOST-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM).

Protective role of systemic furin in immune response-induced arthritis.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease associated with chronic inflammation of the synovium that causes profound damage of joints. Inflammation results in part from the influx of immune cells secreting inflammatory cytokines and the reduction in the number of Treg cells. We undertook this study to assess the effect of furin, a proteinase implicated in the proteolytic activity of various precursor proteins and involved in the regulation of both proteinase maturation and immune cells, in an experimental model of RA.

Targeting bone alleviates osteoarthritis in osteopenic mice and modulates cartilage catabolism.

Objective: Subchondral bone modifications occur early in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). The level of bone resorption might impact cartilage remodeling. We therefore assessed the in vivo and in vitro effects of targeting bone resorption in OA and cartilage metabolism.

Inhibition of bone resorption blunts osteoarthritis in mice with high bone remodelling.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by cartilage degradation and bone lesions. Subchondral bone may be involved in the pathogenesis of cartilage matrix breakdown.

Objective: To assess the role of bone remodelling in OA by studying the effect of bisphosphonate on OA development in mice with high bone remodelling.