The objective of this study was to analyze the interaction of an arthrogenic Mycoplasma synoviae, which can cause autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, with chicken chondrocytes. We found that M. synoviae significantly reduces chondrocyte respiration. This was accompanied by alterations in chondrocyte morphology, namely cell shrinkage and cytoplasm condensation, as well as nuclear condensation and formation of plasma membrane invaginations containing nuclear material, which appeared to cleave off the cell surface. In concordance with these apoptosis-like events in chondrocytes, transcription was increased in several pro-apoptotic genes. The data suggest that chicken chondrocytes infected with M. synoviae die by apoptosis, which could contribute to tissue destruction and onset of rhematoid arthritis. Published in a journal, that is first in the field of veterinary science (A'').
COBISS.SI-ID: 3013768