Objective
To elucidate the effect of resistin on human articular chondrocytes, and generate a picture of their regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
Methods
Human articular chondrocytes were cultured with resistin. Changes in gene expression were analyzed at various doses and times. Cells were also treated with the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D after resistin treatment, or the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor IKK-NBD before resistin treatment. Gene expression was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Computational analysis for transcription factor binding motifs was performed on the promoter regions of differentially expressed genes. TC28 chondrocytes were transfected with CCL3 and CCL4 promoter constructs, pNF-κB reporter, and NF-κB and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) expression vectors with or without resistin.
Results
Resistin-treated human articular chondrocytes increased the expression of cytokines and chemokines. The mRNAs for MMP-1, MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4 also increased while COL2A1 and aggrecan were down-regulated. Cytokine and chemokine genes could be categorized into three groups according to the pattern of mRNA expression in a 24 h time course. One pattern suggested rapid regulation by mRNA stability. The second and third patterns were consistent with transcriptional regulation. Computational analysis suggested the transcription factors NF-κB and C/EBPβ were involved in the resistin-induced up-regulation. This prediction was confirmed by the co-transfection of NF-κB and C/EBPβ, and IKK-NBD inhibition.
Conclusion
Resistin has diverse effects on gene expression in human chondrocytes affecting chemokines, cytokines and matrix genes. mRNA stabilization and transcriptional up-regulation are involved in resistin-induced gene expression in human chondrocytes.