Poly(I:C) induces expressions of MMP-1, -2, and -3 through various signaling pathways including IRF3 in human skin fibroblasts

J Dermatol Sci. 2015 Oct;80(1):54-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.06.017. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can result in premature skin aging (photoaging) which is characterized by decreased expression of collagen and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) can be generated at various conditions including virally infected cells or UV-damaged skin cells. Recent studies have shown that a synthetic dsRNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), can reduce procollagen expression in human skin fibroblasts. However, little is known about the effect of poly(I:C) on the expression of MMPs in skin fibroblasts and its underlying mechanisms.

Objective: We examined the effect of poly(I:C) on MMP-1, -2, and -3 expressions in human skin fibroblasts. Then, we further explored the underlying signaling pathways involved in the processes.

Methods: Human skin fibroblasts were treated with poly(I:C) for the indicated times in the presence or the absence of various chemical inhibitors or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) at the indicated concentrations. Protein and mRNA levels of various target molecules were examined by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively.

Results: Poly(I:C) induced MMP-1, -2, and -3 expressions, which were dependent on TLR3. Poly(I:C) also induced activations of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) pathways. By using specific inhibitors, we found that poly(I:C)-induced expressions of MMP-1, -2, and -3 were differentially regulated by these signaling pathways. In particular, we found that the inhibition of IRF3 signaling pathways attenuated poly(I:C)-induced expressions of all the three MMPs.

Conclusion: Our data show that the expressions of MMP-1, -2, and -3 are induced by poly(I:C) through various signaling pathways in human skin fibroblasts and suggest that TLR3 and/or IRF3 may be good targets for regulating the expressions of MMP-1, -2, and -3 induced by dsRNAs.

Keywords: IRF3; MMP; Poly(I:C); TLR3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted / metabolism*
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • Poly I-C
  • Polynucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin Aging
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • Polynucleotides
  • TLR3 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted
  • Poly I-C