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Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida regulates type II collagen and COX-2 expression via MAPK and PI3K pathways in rabbit articular chondrocytes

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Abstract

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide widely distributed in brown seaweed. It exhibits several bioactivities, such as anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant properties. However, the effects of fucoidan in chondrocytes are not well established. Previously, we have reported in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidan. In this study, we evaluated the effects and regulatory mechanism of fucoidan derived from Undaria pinnatifida on the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and type II collagen in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Using western blotting and alcian blue staining, respectively, fucoidan was shown to induce type II collagen and sulfated proteoglycan in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, fucoidan inhibited the COX-2 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner and increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and AKT kinases in chondrocytes. The inhibition of p38 and AKT using SB203580 and LY294002, respectively, in the presence of fucoidan decreased the expression of type II collagen. However, ERK inhibition using PD98050 stimulated type II collagen expression. Fucoidan increased COX-2 expression in the presence of inhibitors of ERK, p38, and AKT kinases. These results conclusively suggested that fucoidan regulated type II collagen expression via the p38 and AKT pathways, and COX-2 expression via the p38, ERK and AKT pathways in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Moreover, given its ability to mediate cell differentiation and exert anti-inflammatory activity, fucoidan may represent a potential therapeutic substance for use in inflammatory conditions, including arthritis.

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Abbreviations

COX:

cyclooxygenase

DAPI:

4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium

ECM:

extracellular matrix

ERK:

extracellular signal-regulated kinase

FITC:

fluorescein isothiocyanate

JNK:

c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase

MAPKs:

mitogen-activated protein kinases

PBS:

phosphate buffered saline

RIPA:

ra-dioimmuno precipitation assay buffer

TBST:

Tris-buffered saline/Tween 20

TRITC:

tetramethyl-rhodamine isothiocyanate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kongju National University, 56 Gongju Daehak-Ro Gongju-Si, Chungnam, 32588, Republic of Korea

    Abdul Rehman Phull & Song Ja Kim

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  1. Abdul Rehman Phull
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  2. Song Ja Kim
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Correspondence to Song Ja Kim.

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Phull, A.R., Kim, S.J. Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida regulates type II collagen and COX-2 expression via MAPK and PI3K pathways in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Biologia 72, 1362–1369 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0158

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0158

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