Recombinant human interleukin-la (IL-la) induced a time-dependent (0-72 hours) and concentration-dependent (0.01-10 ng/ml) production of metalloproteinases (collagenase, gelatinase, stromelysin) and prostaglandin E, (PGE,) in rabbit articular chondrocytes (RAC). Exposure of RAC to recombinant human plateletderived growth factor homodimer BB (PDGF-BB; 2-200 ng/ml) in the presence of stimulatory and substimulatory concentrations of IL-la resulted in a marked augmentation of metalloproteinase and PGE, production. PDGF-BB exerted no agonist effects on RAC responsiveness. PDGF-BB up-regulated the number of IL-1 receptors per chondrocyte but had no effect on receptor affinity. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D caused a concentrationdependent suppression of the PDGF-BB-mediated potentiation of radiolabeled IL-la binding to RAC and cell responsiveness to IL-la. Similarly, IL-1 increased the number of PDGF receptors on RAC without changing receptor affiity. These data are discussed within the context of cytokine-growth factor interactions as components of the pathogenesis of arthritic diseases.Articular cartilage erosion and resorption of subchondral bone in inflammatory joint disease is caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and prostanoids released from the proliferative synovial lesion that is in contact with the cartilage surface (1,2). The inflamed synovium is composed of heterogenous cell populations which produce a broad spectrum of cytokines and growth factors, which, in turn, stimulate MMP and prostaglandin E, (PGE,) production by synovial fibroblasts (3-5). The occurrence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (6), tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa) (7), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (8), and IL-6 (9) in arthritic synovial fluid implies a pathogenic role(s) for these factors.IL-1 is a 17-kd polypeptide that is produced by rheumatoid synovial tissue (10,ll) and chondrocytes (12). Synovial cells (13) and chondrocytes (14,15) express IL-1 receptors and produce MMP and PGE, in response to 4,[15][16][17][18][19]. A major role of IL-I in the pathogenesis of arthritic diseases is supported by reports of IL-I stimulating B and T lymphocyte proliferation, a febrile response, bone resorption, and the production of acute-phase reactants (20). PDGF is produced by macrophages, platelets, and endothelial cells (21), which are components of the inflamed synovium. PDGF is a chemoattractant for monocytes, fibroblasts, and neutrophils (22) and is mitogenic for fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, and chondrocytes (21).Since it is unlikely that tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis is mediated by any one cytokine and/or growth factor, synergistic interactions between
MATERIALS AND METHODSChondrocyte culture. Confluent monolayer cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes (RAC) were used throughout this study. The monolayer cultures were obtained from single-cell suspensions of chondrocytes isolated from the articular cartilage of the knee joints of New Zealand white rabbits, as described by Chin and Lin (18). Briefly, cartilage t...