Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is expressed in articular joints with inflammatory arthropathy and may exert catabolic effects leading to cartilage degradation. As we observed in a preliminary experiment that PGE2 suppressed the expression of SERPINE1/plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 mRNA in chondrocytes, we focused on the effect of PGE2 on PAI-1 in a panel of cultured chondrocytes obtained from osteoarthritic patients. Specifically, articular cartilage specimens were obtained from patients with osteoarthritis who underwent joint surgery. Isolated chondrocytes were cultured in vitro as a monolayer and stimulated with PGE2. Stimulated cells and culture supernatants were analyzed using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results confirmed that the in vitro PGE2 stimulation suppressed the expression of PAI-1 in the tested chondrocyte samples. The inhibitory effect was partly abrogated by an antagonist of EP4 receptor of PGE2, but not by an EP2 antagonist. Although PGE2 induced activations of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), blocking of the MAPK did not abrogate the suppressive effect of PGE2, implying a distinct signaling pathway. In summary, prostaglandin is suggested to modulate the plasminogen system in chondrocytes. Further elucidation of the interaction might open a new avenue to understand the degradative process of cartilage.
Keywords: PAI-1; PGE2; chondrocyte; prostaglandin.