Comparative effects of IL-1β and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on catabolic and anabolic gene expression in juvenile bovine chondrocytes

The different regulation of NF-κB and AP-1 by H2O2 and IL-1β underlines the distinct roles played by the two transcription factors in the regulation of gene expression. H2O2 and IL-1β exert similar effects on matrix, MMPs and TGF-β1 gene expression. However, the association of H2O2 and IL-1β does not cause synergic effect, and rather leads, in some cases, to an opposite effect. These data provide further insights into the respective roles of reactive oxygen species and cytokine in the pathophysiology of joint diseases.