Hydrocortisone affects the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, and -11) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) in human gingival fibroblasts.
BACKGROUND
There is a positive correlation between the course of periodontal disease and psychosocial stress status. Stress leads to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in increased cortisol release. The present study evaluates the effect of two different hydrocortisone concentrations on mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in cultured, human gingival fibroblasts.


METHODS
Gingival fibroblasts were stimulated with 10(-7) or 10(-9) M hydrocortisone for 24 hours; untreated cells served as controls. Alterations in the expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -11 and TIMP-1 and -2 were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. beta-actin mRNA expression was used as a reference to normalize gene expression.


RESULTS
Although the higher hydrocortisone concentration upregulated MMP-1, -2, -7, -11, and TIMP-1 (P <0.05) expression, the lower concentration induced downregulation or diminished upregulation. The lower hydrocortisone concentration induced a 23-fold increase in MMP-3 gene expression, whereas the higher concentration induced less upregulation; however, protein expression was regulated similarly by both hydrocortisone concentrations. The effect of hydrocortisone on TIMP-2 expression was not significant (P >0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrocortisone produced a dose-dependent regulation of MMP and TIMP expression. The higher hydrocortisone concentration significantly upregulated expression of MMP-1, -2, -7, and -11 and TIMP-1 in human gingival fibroblasts, which may constitute a mechanism underlying the increased periodontal breakdown associated with psychosocial stress status.
Cury
Patricia R
PR
Department of Oral Pathology, University of São Paulo, School of Dentistry, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. patcury@yahoo.com
Araújo
Vera C
VC
Canavez
Flavio
F
Furuse
Cristiane
C
Araújo
Ney S
NS
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D006854:Hydrocortisone