Pentosan polysulfate sodium promotes redifferentiation to the original phenotype in micromass-cultured canine articular chondrocytes and exerts molecular weight-dependent effects

Wang Y, Sunaga T, Mwale C, Akaraphutiporn E, Kim S, Okumura M · The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Chain length changes what the drug does: PPS pushed dedifferentiated chondrocytes back toward the cartilage phenotype — type II collagen, aggrecan and SOX9 up, proteoglycan deposition up — and did so more strongly at higher molecular weight, with no cytotoxicity at any size. The 7,000 Da fraction also raised type I collagen, the fibrocartilage marker.

Population

Micromass-cultured canine articular chondrocytes

Intervention

PPS fractions of 1,500 to 7,000 Da

Comparator

Untreated micromass cultures

Limitations

Cell culture, canine cells, and the largest fraction's type I collagen rise is a caveat the anabolic reading has to carry; the practical implication is that PPS preparations differing in size distribution are not interchangeable.