title: Differential regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 by activated protein C: relevance to inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the in vitro effect of activated protein C (APC), a natural anticoagulant and novel antiinflammatory agent, on the regulation of the gelatinases matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9.
  
  
  METHODS
  Synovial fibroblasts and peripheral blood monocytes isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) and Mono Mac6 cells were used in this study. After treatment, cells and culture supernatants were collected for zymography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibroblasts and monocytes from RA patients produced substantially more MMP-9 than did those from OA patients; however, there was no difference in MMP-2 production. The addition of recombinant APC markedly reduced MMP-9 at the gene and protein levels. In contrast, APC up-regulated and activated MMP-2. Using a blocking antibody to the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), we showed that the inhibition of MMP-9 by APC was EPCR-dependent. Furthermore, APC directly suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the activation of NF-kappaB and MAP kinase p38, and inhibitors of NF-kappaB or p38 reduced the production of MMP-9, suggesting that APC inhibits MMP-9 by blocking TNF, NF-kappaB, and p38. Thus, APC acts on MMP-9 by binding to EPCRs on the cell surface and, subsequently, inhibiting the intracellular activation of the proinflammatory signaling molecules NF-kappaB and p38.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APC appears to be the first physiologic agent to inhibit the production of proinflammatory MMP-9, yet increase antiinflammatory MMP-2 activity. Our results provide the initial evidence that APC may be beneficial in the prevention of inflammation and joint destruction in RA.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. mlxue@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Meilang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: March
authors.forename: Philip N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sambrook
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000502:physiology*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000276:immunology*; D011486:Protein C / Q000502:physiology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D011486:Protein C; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9