© 2012, American College of Rheumatology Autophagy Modulates Osteoarthritis-Related Gene Expression

Objective. Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process for the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic compo-nents, serves as a cell survival mechanism. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of autophagy in human chondrocytes and pathophysiology of osteoar-thritis (OA). Methods. Autophagy in articular cartilage and primary chondrocytes was assessed using antibodies for the autophagy markers light chain 3 and beclin 1. The states of autophagy under catabolic and nutritional stresses were examined. We also examined the effects of inhibition or induction of autophagy under stimulation with interleukin-1. Autophagy was inhibited by small interfering RNA targeting ATG5, and autophagy was induced by rapamycin. The effects of inhibition o