Regulation of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor production by human articular chondrocytes. Induction by both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1, downregulation by transforming growth factor beta and upregulation by fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract

Our data demonstrate that both proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha induce an immunoreactive and biologically active GM-CSF by human articular chondrocytes that appears to be downregulated by TGF-beta and upregulated by FGF. GM-CSF produced locally by cartilage cells may be an important cytokine involved in the activation and proliferation of pannus cells, that can be modulated by interactions with cytokines present in the inflamed joints, thus possibly contributing to the chronic infiltration and destruction of cartilage in inflammatory joint diseases.