Amanda Sjögren , Karin Lindblom , Aleksandra Turkiewicz , Martin Englund , Patrik Önnerfjord
{"title":"Molecular treatments to reduce catabolic effects in human meniscus explant models","authors":"Amanda Sjögren , Karin Lindblom , Aleksandra Turkiewicz , Martin Englund , Patrik Önnerfjord","doi":"10.1016/j.ocarto.2025.100618","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>1. To validate catabolic meniscus explant models induced by cytokines: interleukin-6 + interleukin-6 receptor + tumor necrosis factor alpha (IL6/TNF) and oncostatin M + tumor necrosis factor alpha (OSM/TNF). 2. To evaluate three potential anti-catabolic treatments: i) dexamethasone (DEX), ii) a Link-N peptide (Link-N) and iii) a peptide from chondroadherin (CKF).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Healthy lateral menisci from deceased donors (n = 6; age = 25–70 years, 4 males, 2 females), were sliced and randomized for experimental groups (combinations of the catabolic models and anti-catabolic treatments) and a control group. Culture media were analyzed, every third day until day 18, by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Linear mixed effect models were used to estimate differences in protein abundances between groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 662 proteins were identified in all menisci. Cytokine-treated meniscus explant models showed increased release of osteoarthritis-related proteins such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). For example, MMP1: IL6/TNF vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change 2.2 95 % confidence interval [1.8, 2.5] and OSM/TNF vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change 2.8 [2.4, 3.1]. There was no treatment effect in explant meniscus with the addition of either Link-N or CKF. Treatment effects were, however, evident with the addition of DEX. For example, MMP1: IL6/TNF + DEX vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change −1.8 [-2.2, −1.4] and OSM/TNF + DEX vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change −0.3 [-0.7, 0.04].</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We confirmed that both catabolic models induce changes in osteoarthritis-related proteins. DEX treatment is effective in mitigating the catabolic response in meniscus explant models and may be further explored for its effects in the treatment of meniscus degeneration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74377,"journal":{"name":"Osteoarthritis and cartilage open","volume":"7 3","pages":"Article 100618"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Osteoarthritis and cartilage open","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000548","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives
1. To validate catabolic meniscus explant models induced by cytokines: interleukin-6 + interleukin-6 receptor + tumor necrosis factor alpha (IL6/TNF) and oncostatin M + tumor necrosis factor alpha (OSM/TNF). 2. To evaluate three potential anti-catabolic treatments: i) dexamethasone (DEX), ii) a Link-N peptide (Link-N) and iii) a peptide from chondroadherin (CKF).
Design
Healthy lateral menisci from deceased donors (n = 6; age = 25–70 years, 4 males, 2 females), were sliced and randomized for experimental groups (combinations of the catabolic models and anti-catabolic treatments) and a control group. Culture media were analyzed, every third day until day 18, by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Linear mixed effect models were used to estimate differences in protein abundances between groups.
Results
A total of 662 proteins were identified in all menisci. Cytokine-treated meniscus explant models showed increased release of osteoarthritis-related proteins such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). For example, MMP1: IL6/TNF vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change 2.2 95 % confidence interval [1.8, 2.5] and OSM/TNF vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change 2.8 [2.4, 3.1]. There was no treatment effect in explant meniscus with the addition of either Link-N or CKF. Treatment effects were, however, evident with the addition of DEX. For example, MMP1: IL6/TNF + DEX vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change −1.8 [-2.2, −1.4] and OSM/TNF + DEX vs. ctrl; log2 fold-change −0.3 [-0.7, 0.04].
Conclusion
We confirmed that both catabolic models induce changes in osteoarthritis-related proteins. DEX treatment is effective in mitigating the catabolic response in meniscus explant models and may be further explored for its effects in the treatment of meniscus degeneration.