The effects of Cu2+ on human articular chondrocytes, arising from both N (normal) and OA (osteoarthritic) cartilage, were investigated "in vitro".
Chondrocytes, cultured in high density, were incubated with copper chloride (0.01-0.25 microM/mL). Proteoglycan and collagen were assessed by incorporation of [35S]-Sulfate and [3H]-Proline. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed to quantify the ratio of type II to type I collagen.
Cu2+ neither increased proteoglycan synthesis by chondrocytes. of origin N or OA, nor influenced their proliferation rate. Collagen synthesis was increased. This effect is time and concentration dependant: in cultures treated for 12 days, collagen synthesis stimulation was +20% and +26% (P < 0.02) in N and OA cultures respectively, the ratio of type II to type I collagen was slightly increased. This effect was more obvious in OA cell lines than in N ones.
The observations suggest that Cu2+ upregulates collagen anabolism in human articular chondrocytes.