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.
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.
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).
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.