Changes in proteoglycan biosynthesis following leukocyte elastase treatment of bovine articular cartilage in culture.

Treatment of bovine articular cartilage in culture with a low molecular weight elastase purified from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes resulted in degradation and release of proteoglycans from the tissue, coupled with a prolonged inhibition of proteoglycan biosynthesis. These observations are consistent with those seen in experimental arthritis induced in rabbits. Comparison of the size of the proteoglycan degradation products extracted from elastase-treated cartilage in culture with that from arthritic cartilage showed marked similarities. The results strongly suggest that leukocyte elastase is a contributing factor in proteoglycan degradation and inhibition of synthesis in inflammatory joint disease.