Objective

To evaluate if 3 peptides derived from the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), which wounded zones of cartilage secrete into synovial fluid, possess biological activity and might therefore be involved in the regulation of specific aspects of joint regeneration.

Methods

The 3 peptides were produced by chemical synthesis and then tested in vitro for known functions of the COMP C-terminal domain from which they derive, and which are involved in osteoarthritis: transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, vascular homeostasis, and inflammation. Results. None of the peptides affected the gene expression of COMP in osteochondral progenitor cells (P > 0.05). We observed no effects on the vascularization potential of endothelial cells (P > 0.05). In cultured synovium explants, no differences on the expression of catabolic enzymes or proinflammatory cytokines were found when peptides were added (P > 0.05).

Discussion and Conclusions

The 3 peptides tested do not regulate TGF-β signaling, angiogenesis and vascular tube formation, or synovial inflammation in vitro and therefore most likely do not play a major role in the disease process.

中文翻译：

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软骨寡聚基质蛋白衍生的由软骨分泌的肽不会诱导骨关节炎期间常见的反应

客观的

评估来自软骨低聚基质蛋白 (COMP) 的 3 种肽是否具有生物活性，这些肽是否具有生物活性，因此可能参与调节关节再生的特定方面。

方法

这 3 种肽是通过化学合成产生的，然后在体外测试了它们所衍生的 COMP C 末端结构域的已知功能，这些功能与骨关节炎有关：转化生长因子-β (TGF-β) 信号传导、血管稳态、和炎症。结果。没有一种肽影响COMP在骨软骨祖细胞中的基因表达（P > 0.05）。我们观察到对内皮细胞的血管化潜能没有影响（P > 0.05）。在培养的滑膜外植体中，添加肽后分解代谢酶或促炎细胞因子的表达没有差异（P > 0.05）。

讨论和结论

所测试的 3 种肽在体外不调节 TGF-β 信号传导、血管生成和血管形成或滑膜炎症，因此很可能在疾病过程中不起主要作用。