Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 2008 November; 29 (11): 1350-1356; doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2008.00880.x

Aim: To investigate the effects of resveratrol on interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) induced catabolism in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) derived chondrocytes cultured on chitosan-gelatin scaffolds (CGS).

Methods: The chondrogenesis of alginate-encapsulated MSCs was evaluated by toluidine blue staining, RT-PCR, and immunostaing. MSC-derived chondrocyte morphology cultured on CGS was evaluated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a laser confocal microscope (LCM). When these cells on CGS were pre-stimulated with IL-1β or co-treated with IL-1β and resveratrol in the absence and presence of the specific β₁-integrin blocking antibody, collagen type II, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression, and the translocation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) were analyzed by Western blot analysis.

Results: Transforming growth factor beta 3 ( TGF-β₃) combined with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) induced the cartilage-specific collagen type II, aggrecan expression and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation at the end of a 3-week culture. CGS supported those differentiated chondrocytes' attachment, proliferation, migration, and ECM formation. When those cells cultured on CGS were stimulated with IL-1β alone, collagen type II and aggrecan expression was inhibited. However, MMP-13 expression increased. Resveratrol reversed the catabolic effects by reducing the translocation of NF-κB. A specific β₁-integrin blocking antibody abrogated the effects of resveratrol on IL-1β stimulated MSC-derived chondrocytes.

Conclusion: These results indicated that resveratrol acts as a NF-κB inhibitor to protect MSC-derived chondrocytes on the CGS from the IL-1β catabolism and these effects are mediated by β₁-integrin.

Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells; alginate; chondrogenesis; IL-1β; resveratrol; β₁-integrin