Omentin-1 ameliorates the progress of osteoarthritis by promoting IL-4-dependent anti-inflammatory responses and M2 macrophage polarization

Authors
Ko CY, Lin YY, Achudhan D, Chang JW, Liu SC, Lai CY, Huang YL, Tsai CH, Fong YC

Lab
China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

Journal
Int J Biol Sci

Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease commonly associated with aging and obesity, which can lead to pain, stiffness, joint dysfunction, and disability. Omentin-1 (also called intelectin-1) is a newly discovered adipokine, which plays a protective role in suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Based on data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset and clinical samples obtained at our institution revealed, determined that omentin-1 and IL-4 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) levels were significantly lower in OA patients than in normal controls. Omentin-1 was shown to induce IL-4-depedent anti-inflammatory responses and M2 macrophage polarization in OA synovial fibroblasts via the PI3K, ERK, and AMPK pathways. Administering omentin-1 was shown to block cartilage degradation and bone erosion resulting from anterior cruciate ligament transection by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting M2 macrophage polarization in vivo. Our findings indicate omentin-1 as a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment for OA.

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Static Weight Bearing Touch: Incapacitance Test (BIO-SWB-TOUCH-M)