Fibronectin fragments alter matrix protein synthesis in cartilage tissue cultured in vitro

We reported earlier that fibronectin fragments (Fn-f) added to bovine articular cartilage cultured in serum-free culture causes marked protease expression with resultant proteoglycan (PG) degradation and release into the culture media. We have further characterized the effects of Fn-f by studies of the effects on proteoglycan, collagen, general protein, and DNA synthesis and reversibility of the cartilage damage. We report here that the most active Fn-f, a 29-kDa amino-terminal Fn-f, when added to a 1 microM concentration, depressed PG and general protein synthesis in cartilage by over 50% within 24 h, as measured by sulfate and methionine/cysteine incorporation, respectively. This same Fn-f decreased PG synthesis throughout the full thickness cartilage section as shown by autoradiography. PG and general protein synthesis were significantly depressed within 24 h by 29-kDa Fn-f concentrations as low as 10 nM. Synthesis rates were effected by 100-fold lower Fn-f concentrations than was induction of proteinases. Removal of the 29-kDa Fn-f allowed a gain to supernormal levels of PG and protein synthesis. Cartilage damaged to the extent of removal of over 50% of the total PG did not replace PG after over 4 weeks in 10% serum-Dulbecco's modified Eagle minimum with or without added TGF-b1 and rIGF-a. These data show that while the effects of Fn-f on elevating protease expression and depressing PG synthesis are reversible, the resultant cartilage damage is apparently irreversible in vitro. Therefore, if Fn-f-mediated cartilage damage occurs as part of cartilage disease processes, the pathologic effects would be quite significant.