2006 Volume 27 Issue 4 Pages 249-256
We previously reported on the establishment of cloned human chondrocytes isolated from lesional area (Ch-8-OA) and non-lesional (normal surface) area (Ch-8) of osteoarthritis (OA) patient by introduction of SV40 early gene. In this study, the biological effects of various cytokines, including TNFα, and AlGaInP diode laser irradiation on the growth of these cells were examined. Cloned cells were exposed to cytokines and/or laser irradiation, and proliferation of these cells as well as production of TNFα was studied. When cells were treated with TNFα, the growth of CH-8-OA cells was significantly inhibited as compared with Ch-8 cells. Increased number of TUNEL positive cells and elevation of the activity of caspase 3 and 8 were observed by introduction of TNFα, indicating that TNFα induced the apoptotic change of these chondrocytes. Interestingly, inhibitory effect of TNFα on the growth of Ch-8-OA cells was diminished by AlGaInP diode laser irradiation. Similar phenomena were observed when primary cultured chondrocytes obtained from normal (fracture) or OA patients were treated with TNFα and/or AlGaInP diode laser irradiation. The novel established human chondrocytes displaying cartilage-specific modulation and can be used as a model for studying the biological effect of laser irradiation on human chondrocytes. And the fact that the laser irradiation stimulated the growth of chondrocytes may provide a basis for the clinical use of laser irradiation in OA patients.
