IN-VITRO EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF PAP AIN ON ISOLATED CHONDROCYTES - CLINICAL RELEVANCE FOR THE CHANGE OF SHAPE OF THE AURICLE

A permanent change of shape of the auricle can be achieved by local ap plication of papain to the elastic cartilage. To assess possible clini cal use of papain, we investigated its effect on isolated and cultured chondrocytes derived from human cartilage of the auricle. We determin ed cellular vitality using the trypan blue method. The release of the cytokines IL-1 alpha and IL-6 measured by ELISA and HLA-DR antigen exp ression evaluated by histological procedures was used as a parameter o f the state of activation of chondrocytes. Cell proliferation was also determined by the number of Ki-67 positive cells. A papain concentrat ion above 160 mu g/ml led to decreasing vitality and number of prolife rating cells. A papain concentration above 160 mu g/ml solvent led to expression of HLA-class-ll-antigen on the surface of the chondrocytes. The release of IL-6 was reduced depending on the concentration of pap ain. However, IL-1 alpha was detected in low concentration with and wi thout application of papain. These investigations show for the first t ime that papain not only leads to direct destruction of the matrix as described in literature, but also influences the integrity of the matr ix by the function and state of activation of chondrocytes. A concentr ation of papain above 160 mu g/ml should not be exceeded in clinical a pplication.