Interleukin-1β stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression via a prostaglandin E2-dependent mechanism in human chondrocytes

IL-1beta is known promote cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression. This study focuses on the characterization of the signaling cascade associated with IL-1beta-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) regulation in human chondrocytes. The decrease in collagen levels in the conditioned media was prevented by a broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, suggesting that ILAP promotes the proteolytic process leading to MMP-2 activation. ILAP-related MMP-2 expression was found to be dependent on prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) production. In addition, the induction of COX-2 and MMP-2 was inhibited by the pretreatment of chondrocytes with a SB203580 or Ro 31-8220, indicating the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, there is no cross-talk between PKC and p38 MAPK in the IL-1beta-induced MMP-2 activation. Taken together, these results demonstrated that IL-1beta induces MMP-2 expression through the PGE(2)-dependent mechanism in human chondrocytes.