The long-term goal of this project is to determine the mechanisms by which signals generated through integrin receptors regulate chondrocyte function. The focus of the proposed work is on changes in function relevant to the development of the cartilage destruction seen in arthritis. Integrins are adhesion receptor heterodimers that transmit information from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cell through activation of specific cell signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown that chondrocytes express several members of the integrin family that serve as receptors for cartilage matrix proteins. Important to the significance of this work, many of the mechanisms by which integrins regulate cell function are cell-type-specific and little is known about integrin function in cartilage. Disruption and degradation of the cartilage ECM is a central feature in the development of arthritis. The general hypothesis for the proposed studies is that changes in the cartilage ECM, including production of ECM protein fragments, are recognized by chondrocyte integrins and initiate a cascade of events intended to remodel the ECM but which in arthritis result in further matrix destruction. Specifically, it is hypothesized that signals generated through the alpha5beta1 fibronectin (FN) receptor in response to fibronectin fragments upregulate metalloproteinase (MMP) production and activity. Preliminary data demonstrates that MAP kinase signals initiated through alpha5beta1 upregulate MMP-13 production. The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible will be studied with the following Specific Aims: (1) to define the signaling pathways utilized by alpha5beta1 which result in increased MMP-13 expression; (2) to determine if cytokines serve as autocrine intermediates in the integrin-stimulated increase in MMP-13 expression and activity; (3) to determine if reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by integrin signals in chondrocytes and determine their role in mediating MMP-13 production and activity. In all three Aims, results of MMP-13 expression will be compared to MMP-1 and MMP-3. These studies will provide important new information needed to further develop therapies designed to inhibit cartilage matrix destruction in arthritis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR049003-02
Application #
6641330
Study Section
Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Study Section (ORTH)
Program Officer
Tyree, Bernadette
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$246,138
Indirect Cost
Name
Rush University Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
068610245
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Collins, John A; Diekman, Brian O; Loeser, Richard F (2018) Targeting aging for disease modification in osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 30:101-107
Wood, Scott T; Long, David L; Reisz, Julie A et al. (2016) Cysteine-Mediated Redox Regulation of Cell Signaling in Chondrocytes Stimulated With Fibronectin Fragments. Arthritis Rheumatol 68:117-26
Long, D L; Ulici, V; Chubinskaya, S et al. (2015) Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is increased in osteoarthritis and regulates chondrocyte catabolic and anabolic activities. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 23:1523-31
Hobbs, G Aaron; Mitchell, Lauren E; Arrington, Megan E et al. (2015) Redox regulation of Rac1 by thiol oxidation. Free Radic Biol Med 79:237-50
Yammani, Raghunatha R; Loeser, Richard F (2014) Brief report: stress-inducible nuclear protein 1 regulates matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression in human articular chondrocytes. Arthritis Rheumatol 66:1266-71
Loeser, Richard F; Goldring, Steven R; Scanzello, Carla R et al. (2012) Osteoarthritis: a disease of the joint as an organ. Arthritis Rheum 64:1697-707
Lotz, Martin; Loeser, Richard F (2012) Effects of aging on articular cartilage homeostasis. Bone 51:241-8
Loeser, Richard F (2011) Aging and osteoarthritis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 23:492-6
Long, D L; Loeser, R F (2010) p38gamma mitogen-activated protein kinase suppresses chondrocyte production of MMP-13 in response to catabolic stimulation. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 18:1203-10
Beier, Frank; Loeser, Richard F (2010) Biology and pathology of Rho GTPase, PI-3 kinase-Akt, and MAP kinase signaling pathways in chondrocytes. J Cell Biochem 110:573-80

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