Objective. To characterize the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor in human osteoarthritic (OA) and normal adult chondrocytes. The biologic response of chondrocytes to IGF-1 stimulation was examined, as was the presence and synthesis of IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) in these cells.Methods. Binding studies, Northern blot, immunohistochemical analysis, and affinity cross-linking experiments were performed for characterization of the IGF receptor, and the latter method was also used for IGFBP determination. The biologic response was estimated via the incorporation of radiolabeled proline into a newly synthesized protein.Results histochemical studies with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the type 1 IGF receptor (aIR3) showed increased staining in OA cartilage compared with normal tissue. Biologic responses of chondrocytes after IGF-1 stimulation revealed that OA chondrocytes were unresponsive, whereas a 2.5-fold increase in new protein synthesis was observed in normal cells. Competition studies in normal chondrocytes revealed that both IGF-1 and IGF-2 displaced radiolabeled IGF-1 in a comparable manner; however, insulin at high concentration weakly competes. Moreover, MAb aIR3 effectively blocked specific binding in normal chondrocytes (77 %), but not in OA chondrocytes (26%). Northern blot and covalent cross-linking analyses revealed the specific band characteristic of type 1 receptor. With the latter technique, other bands corresponding to the IGFBPs were also detected. Comparison between normal and OA chondrocytes showed increased intensity of the IGFBP bands, particularly those corresponding to the IGFBP-3 doublet.Conclusion. It is shown that type 1 IGF receptor is expressed in human articular cartilage and that the level of binding sites is significantly increased in OA chondrocytes. Interestingly, despite the higher level of binding sites in OA cells, no response to IGF-1 stimulation was found in these cells. Our data suggest that this increase in specific binding may involve not only the type 1 IGF receptor but also IGFBP on the cell surface. The latter, by binding the IGF-1, will diminish the bioavailability of IGF-1 and thus prevent its anabolic action.Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common of the various arthritic disorders affecting humans. The dis-

Objective. To identify and investigate the kinetic binding properties of interleukin-1 receptors (IL-lR), and examine the abilities of the-2 IL-1 isoforms to stimulate metalloprotease synthesis, in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes.Methods. Receptor affinity and density were determined using radioligand binding experiments and flow cytometry. Immunocytochemical analysis and affinity cross-linking studies were performed for characterization of IL-1R.Results. While no difference in receptor affinity Factors such as IL-2, interferon-y, tumor necrosis factor a, and bovine insulin did not compete with IL-1p. By covalent ligand cross-linking and electrophoretic analysis, only type I IL-lR, a protein of 80 kd, was detected on chondrocytes. By immunocytochemical analysis, IL-1R was identified at the cell membrane level, in both normal and OA chondrocytes. The presence of nuclear staining was also observed, but only in OA chondrocytes. Recombinant human IL-1 (a and p) induced the secretion of stromelysin and collagenase in a dose-dependent manner. The IL-1 concentration required for half-maximal metalloprotease stimulation was 3-4 times lower in OA chondrocytes than in normal cells. _____Conclusion. These results indicate that OA chondrocytes have a higher sensitivity to the stimulation of metalloprotease synthesis by IL-1 than do normal cells. This could be related to the increased levels of IL-1R expressed in the OA cells. The implications of these findings with regard to the possible roles of IL-1 and IL-1R in the pathogenesis of OA are discussed.Erosion of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) is probably mediated by proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix macromolecules. Metalloproteases are believed to be the primary enzyme systems