Protecting the chondrocyte

Whole blood, lysed red blood cells and haemoglobin induce loss of cartilage function and loss of chondrocyte viability. The heat shock proteins give a good degree of protection against cell death, apoptosis and reduced synthesis of glycosaminoglycans. Induction of HSP70 expression by heat shock preconditioning in rat femoral head cartilage and human chondrocytes protects against damage induced by blood components. Induction of HOI in human chondrocytes by small molecule agents such as WHRI-775 and WHRI-776 also protects against apoptosis and improves cell viability. Induction of a stress response protects chondrocytes and cartilage against blood component-induced damage and may represent a novel process to protect chondrocytes after autologous transplantation.