The protective effects of cell-free fluid exudate on cartilage degradation in vitro

In a short-term culture system, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were shown to cause significant loss of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) from cartilage. In addition, a lysate of these cells, and in particular cells stimulated with a phorbol ester, greatly enhanced this loss of GAG. This loss could be partially or completely inhibited by the addition of cell-free fluid exudate to the system. In other long-term culture experiments, IL-1a was shown to enhance fibroblast-induced GAG loss from cartilage. In this system too the breakdown was inhibited by cell-free fluid exudate. Initial characterization of the protective agent or agents shows them to be heat-stable at 56 degrees C and to be non-dialysable. It is proposed that in the chronic inflammatory joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, the fluid phase of an inflammatory response may have a protective effect against the underlying pathological processes.