Impact of 45S5-Bioactive Glass on Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis—In Vitro Study Exploring Cellular Responses

Marinescu M, Hagmann S, Fellenberg J, Tripel E, Gantz S, Mayakrishnan R, Boccaccini AR, Renkawitz T, Moradi B, Westhauser F, Platzer H (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Journal of Functional Biomaterials MDPI

Book Volume: 16

Article Number: 339

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.3390/jfb16090339

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease, is marked by cartilage degradation and chronic inflammation. While 45S5-bioactive glass (45S5-BG) is well-established in bone regeneration and has been suggested to exert immunomodulatory effects, its impact on OA chondrocytes remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this in vitro study investigated the effects of 45S5-BG microparticles (0.125 mg/mL) on chondrocytes derived from OA patients, evaluating its therapeutic potential in OA. Chondrocytes were cultured with or without 45S5-BG for 1 and 7 days. Gene expression of cartilage markers, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and toll-like receptors (TLRs) was analyzed by qPCR. Protein levels were assessed by ELISA. 45S5-BG stimulation significantly altered chondrocyte activity, inducing upregulation of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-1/-3/-13, and TLR4. Expression of ACAN and COL2A1 was reduced, while COL10A1—a marker of chondrocyte hypertrophy—was significantly increased at day 1. These findings show a catabolic and pro-inflammatory shift in chondrocyte phenotype upon 45S5-BG exposure, showing no therapeutic benefit of 45S5-BG on OA chondrocytes. However, considering the pronounced effects on chondrocyte activity and the well-established bioactivity and biocompatibility of 45S5-BG, our findings suggest that modified BG formulations could be developed to enhance chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, warranting further investigation in co-culture and in vivo models.

Authors with CRIS profile

Aldo Boccaccini Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien)

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg DE Germany (DE) Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Marinescu, M., Hagmann, S., Fellenberg, J., Tripel, E., Gantz, S., Mayakrishnan, R.,... Platzer, H. (2025). Impact of 45S5-Bioactive Glass on Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis—In Vitro Study Exploring Cellular Responses. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16090339

MLA:

Marinescu, Max, et al. "Impact of 45S5-Bioactive Glass on Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis—In Vitro Study Exploring Cellular Responses." Journal of Functional Biomaterials 16.9 (2025).

BibTeX: Download