INDUCTION OF MITOGEN-INDUCIBLE NUCLEAR ORPHAN RECEPTOR BY INTERLEUKIN-1 IN HUMAN SYNOVIAL AND GINGIVAL FIBROBLASTS

High levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1) found in inflammatory diseases suc h as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis act on the local fibroblas ts, resulting in an altered phenotype characterized by hyperplasia and the production of inflammatory mediators and destructive enzymes. The goal of this study was to identify genes induced as an early response to IL-1 in synovial and gingival fibroblasts which might play a regul atory role in the cascade of events leading to their activation. Using the technique of mRNA differential display, we have identified the mi togen-inducible nuclear orphan receptor (MINOR) as a gene up-regulated by IL-1 in human synovial and gingival fibroblasts. The rapid inducti on of both mRNA and DNA binding activity suggests that MINOR may play an important early role in regulating the response of fibroblasts to i nflammation. (C) 1998 Academic Press.