Enhancement of anti-inflammatory tendency by SB203580, p38 alpha specific inhibitor, in human fibroblast-like synoviocyte cell line, MH7A

Abstract

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is an abundant cytokine, which, together with TNF-alpha, mediates inflammatory events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-1 beta is known to induce the induction of inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rheumatoid synovial cells. Here, we assessed these inflammatory events by measuring IL-1 beta levels in the human synovial cell line, MH7A. We observed that the activation of p38 MAP kinase by IL-1 beta was involved in the induction of inflammatory cytokines, as well as several genes, including MMP-1 and MMP-3. SB203580, a specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, inhibited the production of IL-1 beta-induced cytokines and MMPs, while the levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) were unchanged by treatment with SB203580. Moreover, the induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) were both found to be induced by the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase. Therefore, we suggested that the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase might enhance anti-inflammatory tendencies in the MH7A cells.