The functional expression of connexin 43 in articular chondrocytes is increased by interleukin 1β: Evidence for a Ca²⁺‐dependent mechanism

Issue title: 2nd International Symposium on Mechanobiology: Cartilage and Chondrocyte. Paris, France, April 2001

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tonon, Rossana | D'Andrea, Paola

Affiliations: Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Chimica delle Macromolecole, Università di Trieste, via Licio Giorgieri 1, I‐34127 Trieste, Italy Tel.: +39 40 676 3690; Fax: +39 40 676 3691; E‐mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Cell‐to‐cell interactions and gap junctions‐dependent communication are crucially involved in chondrogenic differentiation, while in adult articular cartilage direct intercellular communication occurs mainly among chondrocytes facing the outer cartilage layer. Chondrocytes extracted from adult articular cartilage and grown in primary culture express connexin 43 and form functional gap junctions capable of sustaining the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves. Degradation of articular cartilage is a characteristic feature of arthritic diseases and is associated to increased levels of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) in the synovial fluid. We have examined the effects of IL‐1 on gap junctional communication in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes. Incubation with IL‐1 potentiated the transmission of intercellular Ca2+ waves and the intercellular transfer of Lucifer yellow. The stimulatory effect was accompanied by a dose‐dependent increase in the expression of connexin 43 and by an enhanced connexin 43 immunostaining at sites of cell‐to‐cell contact. IL‐1 stimulation induced a dose‐dependent increase of cytosolic Ca2+ and activates protein tyrosine phosphorylation. IL‐1‐dependent up‐regulation of connexin 43 could be prevented by intracellular Ca2+ chelation, but not by inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, suggesting a crucial role of cytosolic Ca2+ in regulating the expression of connexin 43. IL‐1 is one of the most potent cytokines that promotes cartilage catabolism: its modulation of intercellular communication represents a novel mechanism by which proinflammatory mediators regulate the activity of cartilage cells.

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 39, no. 1-2, pp. 153-160, 2002