Periodontitis is associated with enhanced production of cytokines, prostaglandins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of this study was to investigate the production and regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with the cytokines interleukin-lbeta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The results showed that gingival fibroblasts constitutively produce MMP-1 and MMP-3, and that the cytokines IL-1beta, TNFalpha and EGF increase both MMP-1 and MMP-3 production in gingival fibroblasts. The upregulation by the cytokines was apparent at 8 h of incubation and increased thereafter continuously during 48 h of incubation. The upregulation of MMPs, induced by IL-1beta or TNFalpha, was reduced by the cyxlooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor NS-398, the p38 MAP-kinase inhibitor SB 203580, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A. In addition, MMP-1 and MMP-3 production, induced by IL-1beta, TNFalpha or EGF, was strongly reduced by the presence of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Our findings demonstrate that the cytokines IL-1beta, TNFalpha and EGF, respectively, enhance both MMP-1 and MMP-3 production in human gingival fibroblasts, and that the signal pathways COX-2, MAP-kinases and tyrosine kinases are partly involved in the production of MMPs.