Losartan protects against osteoarthritis by repressing the TGF-β1 signaling pathway via upregulation of PPARγ

Objective: Losartan and activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma) have been previously reported to alleviate the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the nature of the interaction between losartan and PPAR gamma in OA remains elusive. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of the regulation of PPAR gamma by losartan in the context of OA. Methods: Clinical samples of OA patients were collected and the chondrocytes were further isolated, and used to construct OA chondrocyte model via induction with IL-1 beta. An OA mouse model was developed by the surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). OA chondrocytes were treated with losartan, PPAR gamma siRNA and the PPAR-gamma agonist GW1929 alone or in combination. Furthermore, the OA mice were treated with varying doses of losartan to determine the best mode of administration and treatment dose. Subsequently, the DMM mice were treated with losartan and GW9662. Expression of PPAR gamma, key proteins of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1) signaling pathway and the markers of OA degeneration were evaluated by the Western blot analysis, while effects on OA inflammatory factors were determined by ELISA. Results: The downregulation of PPAR gamma and the upregulation of TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway were detected in the OA cartilage tissues and chondrocytes. Losartan treatment or PPAR gamma activation contributes to reduced levels of IL-6, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and COX-2, expression of TGF-beta 1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, HtrA1, and iNOS, along with reduced Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation, but elevated PPAR gamma and Collagen II expression in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the intraarticular injection of losartan into the knee joint proved to be the best mode of administration, and 10 mg/mL being the optimal treatment concentration. Conclusion: Our results show that losartan could arrest the progression of OA by upregulating PPAR gamma expression and inactivating the TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway. The translational potential of this article: Our results provide a biological rationale for the use of losartan as a potential candidate for OA treatment.

Automated summary

The study revealed that losartan can halt the progression of OA by upregulating PPAR gamma expression and inhibiting the TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway, with intraarticular injection proving to be the optimal mode of administration and 10 mg/mL the optimal treatment concentration.