Binding of [99mTc]chondroitin sulfate to scavenger receptors on human chondrocytes as compared to binding of oxidized [125I]LDL on human macrophages.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) used for treatment of osteoarthritis exerts distinct effects on human articular chondrocytes in vitro. We performed a binding analysis with 99mTc-labeled CS (Condrosulf, a commercial CS preparation containing calcium stearate) and cultured human chondrocytes in order to evaluate the presence of specific receptors. Saturation binding at 37 degrees C for 2 h revealed the presence of high-affinity binding sites for CS with a Kd of 2.3 x 10(-9) mol/L and a Bmax of 5.0 x 10(8). Extensive dialysis of Chondrosulf led to a decrease of the binding affinity by 52.5 +/- 19.5% and of the number of CS binding sites/cell by 62.0 +/- 14.0%, demonstrating that the additive present in the Condrosulf preparation enhances CS binding. The nature of the binding site is not yet known but evidence exists in the literature that the scavenger receptor CD36, thoroughly investigated on macrophages, is also found on chondrocytes and might be involved in CS binding. Therefore, we undertook a comparative binding study with human monocytes and labelled LDL and oxidized LDL, the latter being a postulated atherogenic agent in atherosclerosis. For [125I]-LDL binding we found a Kd of 0.45 x 10(-8) mol/L and a Bmax of 0.14 x 10(6) on quiescent monocytes and for [125I]-(ox)LDL binding a Kd of 1.8 x 10(-8) mol/L and a Bmax of 1.3 x 10(6) using LPS-activated monocytes. These data are comparable to the binding affinity found for lipoprotein-proteoglycan-complexes and hence are an indication but not a proof that CD36 is involved in CS binding to human chondrocytes.