Aim: To investigate the effects of TWEAK on the synthesis of MMP-3 in RA FLS at different concentrations and to discuss the relative mechanism of how TWEAK involves in the destruction of articular bone and cartilage.
Methods: RA FLS were primarily cultured and stimulated with TWEAK. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of MMP-3 in cell-cultured fluid. The gene mRNA expression of MMP-3 was measured by RT-PCR.
Results: The level of MMP-3 induced by TWEAK at 50 and 100 microg/L was higher than that in control group, which had significant statistic difference (P<0.05).The expression level of MMP-3mRNA induced by TWEAK at 100 microg/L was 1.26 times higher than that in the control group, which had significant statistic difference (P<0.05).TNF-alpha and IL-1beta had synergetic effect on the synthesis and mRNA expression of MMP-3. The level in the synergetic group was significantly higher than that in the simple TWEAK group , which had significant statistic difference (P<0.05).
Conclusion: TWEAK can induce RA FLS to synthesize MMP-3 and damage the articular bone and cartilage directly. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and TWEAK had synergetic effects during the synthesis of MMP-3 in RA FLS.