Interleukin-1beta increases gap junctional communication among synovial fibroblasts via the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background information

The gap junction protein, Cx43 (connexin 43), has been implicated in the aetiology of osteoarthritis. Studies have revealed that the size and number of gap junctions increase in synovial biopsies from patients with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Cx43 function has been shown to reduce IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta)-induced metalloproteinase production by synovial fibroblasts in vitro.

Results

In the present study, we examined the link between IL-1beta and Cx43 function. We demonstrated that treatment of a rabbit synovial fibroblast cell line with IL-1beta markedly increased the level of the Cx43 protein in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The impact on Cx43 protein levels appeared to occur post-transcriptionally, as

SUBMITTER: Niger C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2874634 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature