Effect of transforming growth factor-β3 on mono and multilayer chondrocytes

Cytokine. 2016 Jul:83:118-126. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.04.008. Epub 2016 Apr 22.

Abstract

Articular cartilage is an avascular and flexible connective tissue found in joints. It produces a cushioning effect at the joints and provides low friction to protect the ends of the bones from wear and tear/damage. It has poor repair capacity and any injury can result pain and loss of mobility. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a cytokine superfamily, regulates cell function, including differentiation and proliferation. Although the function of the TGF-βs in various cell types has been investigated, their function in cartilage repair is as yet not fully understood. The effect of TGF-β3 in biological regulation of primary chondrocyte was investigated in this work. TGF-β3 provided fibroblastic morphology to chondrocytes and therefore overall reduction in cell proliferation was observed. The length of the cells supplemented with TGF-β3 were larger than the cells without TGF-β3 treatment. This was caused by the fibroblast like cells (dedifferentiated chondrocytes) which occupied larger areas compared to cells without TGF-β3 addition. The healing process of the model wound closure assay of chondrocyte multilayer was slowed down by TGF-β3, and this cytokine negatively affected the strength of chondrocyte adhesion to the cell culture surface.

Keywords: Cell length; Cell proliferation; Model wound closure assay; Primary chondrocyte multilayer; TGF-β3.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Dedifferentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism*
  • Chondrocytes / pathology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / pharmacology*
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Tgfb3 protein, rat
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3