Effect of Longan polysaccharides on proliferation and phenotype maintenance in rabbit articular chondrocytes in vitro

Abstract

For autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) to restore cartilage defect, limited cell numbers and dedifferentiation of chondrocytes are the major difficulties. An alternative is the use of growth factors, but the high cost and potential tumorigenesis are the major obstacles. To ensure successful ACI therapy, it is of significance to find effective substituted pro-chondrogenic agent. Polysaccharides from plant extract have low toxicity and few undesirable side effects, which were reported to facilitate cartilage regeneration. In this study, we investigated the effect of Longan polysaccharides (LP) on rabbit articular chondrocytes through examination of the cell proliferation, morphology, viability, glycosaminoglycan synthesis and cartilage-specific gene expression. Results showed that close to the positive group which used the growth factor of TGF-β, LP could effectively promote chondrocytes growth and enhance secretion and synthesis of cartilage extracellular matrix by up-regulating expression levels of aggrecan, collagen II and sox9 compared to the negative control. Expression of collagen I gene was effectively down-regulated, demonstrating the inhibition of chondrocytes dedifferentiation by LP. Hypertrophy that might lead to chondrocyte ossification was also undetectable in LP groups. Range of 4.69-18.76 µg/ml was recommended dose of LP, among which the most profound response was observed with 9.38 μg/ml. All the evidences revealed that LP may replace the growth factors to be applied in ACI therapy. This study might provide a basis for development of a novel agent in the treatment of articular cartilage defect.

Extraction, purification, structural features and biological activities of longan fruit pulp (Longyan) polysaccharides: A review

“…Compared with the negative control group, the expression of type I collagen gene was down-regulated, indicating that LPs inhibit chondrocyte dedifferentiation. All these suggested that LPs can replace growth factor in the treatment of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), which lays the foundation for the development of new drugs for the treatment of articular cartilage defects ( 106 ).…”

Intestinal microbiota are involved in the immunomodulatory activities of longan polysaccharide

“…is a subtropical fruit, which has long been used as traditional medicine in Asian countries for treating amnesia, nervous debility, palpitation and relieving fatigue. Recent studies in vitro have demonstrated that the longan polysaccharides have various bioactivities, including regulation of immune function , antitumor , antioxidant and facilitating cartilage regeneration . Several study reports have shown molecular weights of polysaccharide of longan ranging from 10 4 Da to more than 10 6 Da, which is too large to be directly absorbed through the intestine.…”

Investigation of an injectable gold nanoparticle extracellular matrix

“…It harbors cryptic matrikines (hidden segments of larger proteins), which act as chemoattractants for progenitor cell populations and stimulate the release of growth factors, which protect articular cartilage from degeneration. 38 Another benefit is the slowly degrading ECM coordinates a complex biochemical remodeling response over time. 39,40 Additionally, the ECM can be homogenized to allow injectability.…”