TSG-6-a double-edged sword for osteoarthritis (OA)

Pupose: To explore mechanisms underlying the association of TSG-6 with osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Methods: TSG-6-mediated heavy chain (HC) transfer (TSG-6 activity) and its association with inflammatory mediators were quantified in knee OA (n = 25) synovial fluids (SFs). Paired intact and damaged cartilages from the same individuals (20 tibial and 12 meniscal) were analyzed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for gene and protein expression of TSG-6 and components of Inter-alphaInhibitor (IaI) and TSG-6 activity +/- spiked in I alpha I. Primary chondrocyte cultures (n = 5) +/- IL1 beta or TNF alpha were evaluated for gene expression. The effects of TSG-6 activity on cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly were explored using quantitative hyaluronan (HA)-aggrecan binding assays. Results: TSG-6 activity was significantly associated (R > 0.683, P < 0.0002) with inflammatory mediators including TIMP-1, A2M, MMP3, VEGF, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and IL-6. Although TSG-6 protein and mRNA were highly expressed in damaged articular and meniscal cartilage and cytokine-treated chondrocytes, there was little or no cartilage expression of components of the IaI complex (containing HC1). By IHC, TSG-6 was present throughout lesioned cartilage but HC1 only at lesioned surfaces. TSG-6 impaired HAaggrecan assembly, but TSG-6 mediated HA-HC formation reduced this negative effect. Conclusions: TSG-6 activity is a global inflammatory biomarker in knee OA SF. I alpha I, supplied from outside cartilage, only penetrates the cartilage surface, restricting TSG-6 activity (HC transfer) to this region. Therefore, unopposed TSG-6 in intermediate and deep regions of OA cartilage could possibly block matrix assembly, leading to futile synthesis and account for increased risk of OA progression. (C) 2017 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.