Mitochondrial dysfunction activates cyclooxygenase 2 expression in cultured normal human chondrocytes.

Objective: Mitochondrial alterations play a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). This study evaluated a potential role of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) dysfunction in the inflammatory response of normal human chondrocytes.

Methods: Commonly used inhibitors of the MRC were utilized to induce mitochondrial dysfunction in normal human chondrocytes. Levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) protein and expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and COX-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were analyzed. To identify the underlying mechanisms responsible for PGE(2) liberation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Inhibitors of ROS, including vitamin E, and inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca(2+) and NF-kappaB were used to test their effects on the MRC.

Results: Antimycin A and oligomycin (inhibitors of mitochondrial complexes III and V, respectively) significantly increased the levels of PGE(2) (mean +/- SEM 505 +/- 132 pg/50,000 cells and 288 +/- 104 pg/50,000 cells, respectively, at 24 hours versus a basal level of 29 +/- 9 pg/50,000 cells; P < 0.05) and increased the expression of COX-2 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Expression of COX-1 did not show any modulation with either inhibitor. Further experiments revealed that antimycin A and oligomycin induced a marked increase in the levels of ROS. Production of PGE(2) and expression of COX-2 protein were inhibited by antioxidants, vitamin E, and mitochondrial Ca(2+) and NF-kappaB inhibitors. The response to blockers of mitochondrial Ca(2+) movement showed that ROS production was dependent on mitochondrial Ca(2+) accumulation.

Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that, in human chondrocytes, the inhibition of complexes III and V of the MRC induces an inflammatory response, which could be especially relevant in relation to PGE(2) production via mitochondrial Ca(2+) exchange, ROS production, and NF-kappaB activation. These data may prove valuable for a better understanding of the participation of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of OA.