title: Activation of p38 alpha MAPK enhances collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) expression by mRNA stabilization.
abstract: Here, we have examined the role of distinct MAPK pathways in the regulation of collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1) and stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) expression by human skin fibroblasts. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha rapidly and transiently activated ERK1/2 and JNK in fibroblasts, whereas the activation of p38 MAPK was more persistent. Inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 markedly (by 80-90%) inhibited induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas blocking the activation of ERK1/2 by PD98059 had no effect. Activation of endogenous ERK1/2 by adenovirus-mediated transfer of constitutively active MEK1 resulted in potent induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression. Activation of endogenous or adenovirally expressed p38 alpha by adenovirally delivered constitutively active MKK3b and MKK6b also enhanced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression and augmented the up-regulatory effect of ERK1/2 activation on the expression of these MMPs. Activation of ERK1/2 resulted in induction of c-jun, junB, and c-fos expression, whereas activation of p38 alone had no effect. In contrast, activation of p38 alpha resulted in marked stabilization of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNAs. These results identify two distinct and complementary signaling mechanisms mediating induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in dermal fibroblasts: AP-1-dependent transcriptional activation via the ERK1/2 pathway and AP-1-independent enhancement via p38 alpha MAPK by mRNA stabilization. It is conceivable that both modes of action play an important role in controlling the proteolytic phenotype of fibroblasts, e.g. in wound repair and tumor invasion.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology and Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reunanen
authors.forename: Song-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foschi
authors.forename: Jiahuai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Veli-Matti
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Kähäri
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016762:Genes, fos; D016758:Genes, jun; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1