Omentin-1 ameliorates the progress of osteoarthritis by promoting IL-4-dependent anti-inflammatory responses and M2 macrophage polarization

Int J Biol Sci. 2023 Oct 16;19(16):5275-5289. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.86701. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease commonly associated with aging and obesity, which can lead to pain, stiffness, joint dysfunction, and disability. Omentin-1 (also called intelectin-1) is a newly discovered adipokine, which plays a protective role in suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Based on data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset and clinical samples obtained at our institution revealed, determined that omentin-1 and IL-4 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) levels were significantly lower in OA patients than in normal controls. Omentin-1 was shown to induce IL-4-depedent anti-inflammatory responses and M2 macrophage polarization in OA synovial fibroblasts via the PI3K, ERK, and AMPK pathways. Administering omentin-1 was shown to block cartilage degradation and bone erosion resulting from anterior cruciate ligament transection by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting M2 macrophage polarization in vivo. Our findings indicate omentin-1 as a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment for OA.

Keywords: Anti-inflammation; IL-4; M2 macrophage; Omentin-1; Osteoarthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4* / immunology
  • Macrophages* / immunology
  • Osteoarthritis* / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-4
  • ITLN1 protein, human