In vitro hexosamine depletion of intact articular cartilage by e‐prostaglandins

Abstract

Short‐term incubations of intact canine articular cartilage slices with prostaglandins E₁ and E₂ caused significant losses of hexosamine from cartilage matrix compared to controls. Chloroquine, an inhibitor of DNA primer, prevented this prostaglandin‐induced hexosamine depletion. These data suggest that E‐prostaglandins may degrade articular cartilage directly through DNA‐dependent RNA synthesis of cathepsinlike proteases. Catabolism of articular cartilage probably involves degradation of existing matrix in addition to inhibition of synthesis.