The study was aimed to investigate the impact of CX3CR1 expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteoarthrosis (OA) chondrocytes through Wnt/ β-catenin pathway.
The expression levels of CX3CR1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes mRNA and protein in OA chondrocytes were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. MTT and flow cytometry (FCM) assays were employed to assess cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. XAV-939, a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, was used to inhibit the pathway.
CX3CR1 was significantly overexpressed in OA cartilages than that in normal articular cartilages (P < 0.05). After siCX3CR1 transfection, the expression level of Wnt 3, nuclear β-catenin, Cyclin D1, MMP-13 and phosphorylated GSK-3β significantly increased, while cytoplasm β-catenin, GSK-3β and phosphorylated β-catenin expression was inhibited (P<0.05). XAV-939abolished the effects of siCX3CR1 on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression of OA chondrocytes (P<0.05).
CX3CR1 regulated chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The overexpression of CX3CR1 in chondrocytes of OA may be closely related to the pathogenesis and progression of OA.