The novel HSP90 monoclonal antibody 9B8 ameliorates articular cartilage degeneration by inhibiting glycolysis via the HIF-1 signaling pathway

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic degenerative disease that affects the bones and joints, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. It is characterized by progressive joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. Notably, treatment with a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor has significantly curtailed cartilage destruction in a rat model of OA. Although the monoclonal antibody 9B8 against HSP90 is recognized for its anti-tumor properties, its potential therapeutic impact on OA remains uncertain. This study investigated the effects of 9B8 on OA and its associated signaling pathways in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated human chondrocytes and a rat anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model. A specific concentration of 9B8 preserved cell viability against IL-1β-induced reduction. In vitro, 9B8 significantly reduced the expression of extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme such as disintegrin and metallopeptidase-4 (ADAMTS4) of thrombospondin motifs, matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), as well as cellular inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which were upregulated by IL-1β. In vivo, 9B8 effectively protected the articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the rat tibial plateau from ACLT-induced damage. Additionally, gene microarray analysis revealed that IL-1β substantially increased the expression of SLC2A1, PFKP, and ENO2 within the HIF-1 signaling pathway, whereas 9B8 suppressed the expression of these genes. Thus, 9B8 effectively mitigates ACLT-induced osteoarthritis in rats by modulating the HIF-1 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting overexpression involved in glycolysis. These results collectively indicate that 9B8 is a promising novel drug for the prevention and treatment of OA.