Published online Jan 27, 2021. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v12.i1.1
Peer-review started: June 24, 2020
First decision: November 4, 2020
Revised: November 17, 2020
Accepted: December 30, 2020
Article in press: December 30, 2020
Published online: January 27, 2021
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-9, are an integral part of the immune response and are upregulated in response to a variety of stimuli. New details continue to emerge concerning the mechanistic and regulatory pathways that mediate MMP-9 secretion. There is significant evidence for regulation of inflammation by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thus investigation of how these two molecules may regulate both MMP-9 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) secretion by human monocytes was of high interest. The hypothesis tested in this study was that DMSO and cAMP regulate MMP-9 and TNFα secretion by distinct mechanisms.
The objective of this study was further examine temporal and regulatory mechanisms of MMP-9 secretion in THP-1 human monocytes after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Specifically, dose-dependent regulation of MMP-9 and TNFα by the aprotic solvent DMSO and the intracellular signaling molecule cAMP.
The objective of this study was further examine temporal and regulatory mechanisms of MMP-9 secretion in THP-1 human monocytes after stimulation with LPS. Specifically, dose-dependent regulation of MMP-9 and TNFα by the aprotic solvent DMSO and the intracellular signaling molecule cAMP.
The paper describes a basic research study using THP-1 human monocyte cells. All experiments were conducted at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Human monocyte cells were grown, cultured, and prepared for experiments in the University of Missouri-St. Louis Cell Culture Facility as per accepted guidelines. Cells were treated with LPS for selected exposure times and the conditioned medium was collected for analysis of MMP-9 and TNFα production. Inhibitors including DMSO, cAMP regulators, and anti-TNFα antibody were added to the cells prior to LPS treatment. MMP-9 secretion was analyzed by gel electrophoresis/western blot and quantitated by ImageJ software. TNFα secretion was analyzed by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. All data is presented as the average and standard error for at least 3 trials. Statistical analysis was done using a two-tailed paired Student t-test P values less than 0.05 were considered significant and designated as such with an asterisk in the figures (P < 0.05). LPS and cAMP regulators were from Sigma-Aldrich, MMP-9 standard and antibody and TNFα antibodies were from R&D Systems, and amyloid-β peptide was from rPeptide.
In our investigation of MMP-9 secretion from THP-1 human monocytes, we made the following findings. Inclusion of DMSO in the cell treatment inhibited LPS-induced MMP-9, but not TNFα, secretion. Inclusion of DMSO in the cell treatment at different concentrations inhibited LPS-induced MMP-9 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. A cell-permeable cAMP analog, dibutyryl cAMP, inhibited both LPS-induced MMP-9 and TNFα secretion. Pretreatment of the cells with the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin inhibited LPS-induced MMP-9 and TNFα secretion. Pretreatment of the cells with the general cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor reduced LPS-induced MMP-9 and TNFα in a dose-dependent fashion. Pre-treatment of monocytes with an anti-TNFα antibody blocked LPS-induced MMP-9 and TNFα secretion. Amyloid-β peptide-induced MMP-9 secretion and occurred much later than TNFα secretion. The latter two findings strongly suggested an upstream role for TNFα in mediating LPS-stimulate MMP-9 secretion.
The cumulative data indicated that MMP-9 secretion was a distinct process from TNFα secretion and occurred downstream. First, DMSO inhibited MMP-9, but not TNFα, suggesting that the MMP-9 secretion process was selectively altered. Second, cAMP inhibited both MMP-9 and TNFα with a similar potency, but at different monocyte cell exposure time points. The pattern of cAMP inhibition for these two molecules suggested that MMP-9 secretion lies downstream of TNFα and that TNFα may a key component of the pathway leading to MMP-9 secretion. This temporal relationship fit a model whereby early TNFα secretion directly led to later MMP-9 secretion. Lastly, antibody-blocking of TNFα diminished MMP-9 secretion, suggesting a direct link between TNFα secretion and MMP-9 secretion.
Regulation of MMP-9 is a significant important in many disease processes including arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Further understanding of the pathways leading to MMP-9 secretion and regulation of this process will be important for managing human health.