A ROLE FOR INTERLEUKIN-4 IN PRODUCTION OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-1 BY HUMAN AORTIC SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS

Effect of interleukin 4 (IL-4) on the production of matrix metalloprot einase 1 (MMP-1) by normal and immortalized human intimal smooth muscl e cells (SMC) was investigated. The production of the precursors of MM P-1 by intimal SMC was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by addition of IL-4 to the culture medium, whereas the cytokine also showed an in hibitory effect on DNA synthesis in the cells. In addition, mRNA of IL -4 was found in the atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic areas of th e intima. Although the production of MMP-1 and the proliferation of SM C are thought to play an important role in reconstruction of the intim a during atherogenesis, our results suggest a possible role of IL-4 in duced MMP-1 in inhibiting tissue remodeling caused by a variety of art erial disorders including atherosclerosis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.