Vol 118, No 2 (Supplement) 2013
Supplement abstract

Chondrocyte expression of apoptotic and pro- inflammatory factors in the development of post- traumatic arthritis in humans

Published 2014-01-13

Keywords

  • articular fracture,
  • post-traumatic arthritis,
  • chondrocyte culture,
  • apoptosis

How to Cite

Sena, P., Benincasa, M., Cavani, F., Ferretti, M., Smargiassi, A., Manfredini, G., & Palumbo, C. (2014). Chondrocyte expression of apoptotic and pro- inflammatory factors in the development of post- traumatic arthritis in humans. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 118(2), 172. Retrieved from https://oajournals.fupress.net/index.php/ijae/article/view/3867

Abstract

The development of post-traumatic arthritis following intra-articular fracture remains an important unsolved clinical problem. The possibility that extensive chondrocyte apoptosis occurs following intra-articular fracture, thus contributing to the development of post-traumatic arthritis, has received increasing attention [1]. It has been demonstrated the existence of a direct correlation between the rate of apoptosis and the severity of osteoarthritis [2]. Pharmacologic inhibitors of enzymes involved in apoptosis have been explored as potential therapeutic agents [3]. In the present study we aimed to deepen the characterization of apoptotic mediators, expressed by chondrocytes, involved in human post-traumatic arthritis following intra-articular fracture and the possible implication of pro-inflammatory receptors in arthritis. The expression of a panel of pro/anti apoptotic factors (Caspase-3, PARP-1, BCL2) and inflammation-related receptors (ChemR23) were analysed in chondrocytes from patients undergoing surgery for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The factors were investigated by immunofluorescence coupled with confocal analysis and western blotting, followed by densitometric evaluation of chondrocyte cultures harvested from patients with intra-articular fractures compared with control ones. The results clearly demonstrated that a statistically significant difference exists in the expression of pro/anti apoptotic factors and ChemR23 between fractured and control patients. In conclusion our data suggest that increased chondrocyte death, occurring after cartilage injury together with inflammatory process, could play a pivotal role in the onset of arthritic disease.