Increased turnover of proteoglycan aggregates in tendon vs. cartilage
Authors: Waggett A.D. , Rees S.G. , Caterson B. 
Published: August 2004

Introduction  Although the function of proteoglycans (PGs) within the tendon extracellular matrix are not fully understood, changes in their turnover have been associated with tendinopathies (Riley et al. 1994). In contrast to cartilage, aggrecanases are constitutively expressed and active in tendon (Rees et al. 2000), indicative of a high rate of aggrecan turnover. Clinical trials investigating the use of active site MMP inhibitors have been confounded by side effects, which involve tendonitis and ‘musculoskeletal syndrome’. Such side effects may relate to nonspecific inhibition of tendon aggrecanases required to maintain normal metabolic homeostasis. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to compare the rate of turnover of tendon and cartilage PGs derived from the same joint and to determine the effect of MMP inhibitors (actinonin and marimastat) on aggrecan catabolism.

Materials and methods  Deep digital flexor tendon explants from compressed and tensional regions were dissected from young and mature bovine. Explants were precultured and then cultured for a further 4 days with or without marimastat (0–2 µm) or actinonin (0–200 µm). PG and lactate quantification, Western blot analysis of degradation products and RT‐PCR analyses were performed. In a separate experiment for measurement of PG turnover, explants were set up as described above and then pulse chase labelled with [35S] sulfate. The rate of turnover of 35S‐labelled PGs from the matrix of tendon (and articular cartilage obtained from the same animal) was subsequently calculated from the amount of 35S‐labelled macromolecules appearing in the medium each day and that remaining in the matrix of explants at the termination of culture.

Results  PG turnover (presumably predominantly aggrecan) was markedly higher in tendon vs. cartilage. This difference was apparent in tendons from all regions and ages. Both marimastat and actinonin inhibited aggrecanase‐mediated PG catabolism in both tendon and cartilage explants. As expected, mRNA expression for the aggrecanases, MMPs and TIMPs was unaffected by the addition of these inhibitors to the culture medium.

Discussion  Aggrecan turnover in tendon is higher than that of articular cartilage, which may be attributed to distinct physiological properties of this PG in tendon. Importantly, immunohistochemical staining for aggrecan in tendon indicates its presence in between collagen fibres and fibril bundles (Vogel et al. 1999), and thus aggrecan aggregates may dissipate resultant compressive loads by resisting the flow of water in these locations. In addition, aggrecan may facilitate the sliding of fibrils during the small amount of elongation of the tendon whilst under tension. Thus, the half‐life of tendon aggrecan is significantly reduced because it constantly participates in repeated resistance to compression. Our data also demonstrates that both marimastat and actinonin can inhibit aggrecanase‐mediated PG catabolism in tendon cultures. This suggests that the occurrence of ‘musculoskeletal syndrome’ in clinical trial patients may be due to the fact that these inhibitors affect the activity of aggrecanases in tendon, thus preventing them from playing their normal role in tendon aggrecan turnover and consequently perturbing normal physiological function.