Culture Media Supplemented With 10% Equine Serum Provided Chondroprotection in an In Vitro Co-Culture of Cartilage and Synovial Membrane.

This research examines the impact of using serum-free culture media versus media supplemented with equine serum on joint tissue samples in an in vitro environment, with findings suggesting that equine serum supplementation increases cartilage protection.

Research Objective and Approach

• The study was primarily aimed at understanding the effects of equine serum supplementation on the provoked production of inflammatory and catabolic mediators originating from joint tissue samples maintained in a co-culture system.
• Joint tissue samples were derived from femoropatellar parts of five adult horses. These samples were then nurtured in co-culture, energized with the use of IL-1β, and sustained for 3,6, and 9 days in either a serum-free environment or one supplemented with 10% equine serum.
• At each time point, media were extracted for study of cellular viability and elution of glycosaminoglycans (an important component of cartilage). The joint tissue samples were also evaluated for understanding their histopathological condition and gene expression.

Key Findings

• The study found no significant differences between the serum-free and equine serum supplemented groups in terms of cell viability.
• Serum-free media facilitated an increase of TNF-α in the joint lining membrane and ADAMTS-4 and five in the joint tissue samples, at nine days of culturing.
• Equine serum supplementation led to an increase of aggrecan (cartilage-essential protein) expression in the articular cartilage on the ninth day of culturing.
• While no significant difference was observed between the two culture media on tissues’ viability, the serum-free media produced a higher concentration of glycosaminoglycans at three days of culturing.

Implications

• Adding 10% equine serum brought a mild protective effect on joint tissue under inflamed co-culture conditions. This finding implies that equine serum supplementation can potentially help decrease the inflammation level and, consequently, protect the joint tissue in vitro.
• This protective effect needs to be considered when creating studies that evaluate treatments of serum or plasma-based orthobiologic research in vitro. Particularly, the findings could be integral in designing methodologies that study inflammatory arthritis and joint degenerative diseases, potentially improving treatment options in these areas.