Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is increased in osteoarthritis and regulates chondrocyte catabolic and anabolic activities.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We determined if the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand HB-EGF is produced in cartilage and if it regulates chondrocyte anabolic or catabolic activity.

Methods

HB-EGF expression was measured by quantitative PCR using RNA isolated from mouse knee joint tissues and from normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry was performed on normal and OA human cartilage and meniscus sections. Cultured chondrocytes were treated with fibronectin fragments (FN-f) as a catabolic stimulus and osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) as an anabolic stimulus. Effects of HB-EGF on cell signaling were analyzed by immunoblotting of selected signaling proteins. MMP-13 was measured in conditioned media, proteoglycan synthesis was measured by sulfate incorporation, and m

SUBMITTER: Long DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4558365 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature