Does tumour necrosis factor alpha stimulate nitric oxide production more potently than interleukin-1beta in porcine articular chondrocytes?
At low concentrations, rhTNF-alpha was 50 times more potent than rhIL-1beta in stimulating NO production by chondrocytes and it was of similar potency in inhibiting aggrecan synthesis and in stimulating HA synthesis. Inhibition of inducible NOS activity relieved some of the effects on aggrecan synthesis, showing that part of the action of TNF-alpha is mediated through NO. HA synthesis was not affected.
The results of the present study suggest that the immunosuppression status of HCV-RNA-positive LT recipients should be carefully determined in order to prevent BPAR and to improve patient survival.