This study investigated whether mechano growth factor-E (MGF-E) peptide can regulate apoptosis and inflammation responses in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of osteoarthritis (OA).
A (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) (MTS) assay was performed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of exogenous MGF-E peptide on OA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (OA-FLS). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to check messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of lysyl oxidase (LOX) family members (LOX) after OA-FLS treatment using MGF-E peptide. A 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay was performed to identify the influence of MGF-E peptide on proliferation OA-FLS proliferation. Western blot was used to detect biomarkers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammatory cytokines.
Exogenous MGF-E peptide has no obvious cytotoxic effects on OA-FLS and promotes LOX expression in OA-FLS, induce apoptosis and ER stress and down-regulate protein levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).
Our results suggest that MGF-E peptide possesses potential anti-inflammatory effects, induces cell apoptosis and facilitates repair of OA-FLS. Therefore, MGF-E peptide may have therapeutic potential in patients with OA.