Future trends in mechanisms of cartilage destruction (Abstract)

Abstract

Very recent research at the Strangeways Laboratory, Cambridge, has demonstrated that chondrocyte function may be controlled, at least in part, by the release from adjacent synovial tissue of factors, provisionally named catabolins, that can act directly on living cartilage cells. Our work during the last year has led to the identification of human and animal catabolins and substantial purification of a catabolin from porcine synovium. We have shown that it is highly effective in producing almost total (~ 90%) resorption of cartilage matrix in organ culture by the indigenous chondrocytes. It seems possible that catabolin may have a substantial role in arthritis in causing the characteristic articular cartilage erosion. Pharmacological control of this novel mechanism could be of importance in modulating the course of arthritic disease.