title: Treponema pallidum induces up-regulation of interstitial collagenase in human dermal fibroblasts.
abstract: In this study we investigated the capability of Treponema pallidum to stimulate human dermal fibroblasts to produce interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), which is needed to degrade type I collagen, the most abundant component of the human dermis. When T. pallidum was added to human dermal fibroblast culture, both the amount of secreted MMP-1 and its mRNA levels were increased. Our results show that T. pallidum can stimulate host human fibroblasts to increase the synthesis of MMP-1, which may act as a virulence factor of the organism.
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1