Exogenous expression of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 promotes in vivo repair in experimental rabbit osteoarthritis

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2015-09, Vol.44 (5), p.404-411
• Main Authors: Zhang, P, Zhong, Z-H, Yu, H-T, Liu, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cartilage, Articular - metabolism; Cartilage, Articular - pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - methods; Feasibility Studies; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Genetic Therapy - methods; Injections; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein - genetics; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein - metabolism; Liposomes; Osteoarthritis - metabolism; Osteoarthritis - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis - therapy; Rabbits; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - genetics; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - metabolism
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.3109/03009742.2015.1009942

Objectives: Potential gene therapy application of single and co-expression of interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to alter disease progression was investigated in an in-vivo rabbit model of osteoarthritis (OA). Method: Sixteen young adult rabbits were randomly and equally divided into four groups: blank control group, IL-1Ra transfection group, TGF-β1 transfection group, and IL-1Ra/TGF-β1 double transfection group. Histological examinations were performed to monitor disease progression after haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of articular cartilage. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 in synovial membrane tissues. Exogenous IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 content was assessed in joint lavage fluid using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: ELISA measurements from the joint lavage fluid showed high expressions of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 in the single and double transfection groups. Remarkably, concomitant reductions in IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were observed in these single and double transfection groups. Radioimmunoassay (RIA)-based detection showed that IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the gene transfection groups were significantly lower compared to the blank control group, in parallel experiments. Importantly, injection of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 expressing cartilage cells into joints led to a significant inhibition of cartilage matrix degradation. Finally, IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 expression in tissues correlated with disease reversal in the experimental group, with improved tissue architecture and collagen deposition. Conclusions: Our results reveal that both single- and double-gene transfection of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 promote extensive repair of damaged cartilage, and double transfections showed better recovery than single transfections, suggesting that co-expression of IL-1Ra and TGF-β1 inhibits degeneration and improves repair of articular cartilage in OA.