INTERLEUKIN-1 INHIBITS KERATAN SULFATE PRODUCTION BY RABBIT CHONDROCYTES - POSSIBLE ROLE OF PROSTAGLANDIN-E2

We investigated the importance of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in i nterleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced inhibition of aggrecan synthesis by chondr ocytes. Keratan sulfate (KS) production was measured in parallel with PGE2 release in chondrocytes. IL-1 inhibited KS production and stimula ted PGE2 release. In the presence of PGE2, there was a dose-dependent decrease in baseline KS production. Indomethacin and dexamethasone par tially blocked the IL-1-induced PGE2 release while KS production recov ered. Our results suggest that IL-1 inhibits KS production, in part, b y stimulating the release of PGE2.