In vitro model for the analysis of synovial fibroblast-mediated degradation of intact cartilage.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Activated synovial fibroblasts are thought to play a major role in the destruction of cartilage in chronic, inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, profound insight into the pathogenic mechanisms and the impact of synovial fibroblasts in the initial early stages of cartilage destruction is limited. Hence, the present study sought to establish a standardised in vitro model for early cartilage destruction with native, intact cartilage in order to analyse the matrix-degrading capacity of synovial fibroblasts and their influence on cartilage metabolism.

Methods

A standardised model was established by co-culturing bovine cartilage discs with early-passage human synovial fibroblasts for 14 days under continuous stimulation with TNF-alpha, IL-1beta or a combin

SUBMITTER: Pretzel D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2688258 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature