Regulation of IL-1-induced gingival collagenase gene expression by activator protein-1. (c-fos/c-jun)

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is probably involved in the progression of perio dontal disease, The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1 beta stimulates the expression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription f actor and, consequently, if the AP-1 transcription factor participates in t he regulation of collagenase gene expression in human gingival fibroblast c ells, In this study, we demonstrate that the concentration of the protein c omponents of AP-1 transcription factor, c-Fos and c-Jun, is enhanced by IL- 1 beta both at mRNA and protein levels, utilizing Northern blot analysis, e lectrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and Western blot analysis, The IL-1 beta stimulated the collagenase-CAT and AP-1-CAT activities in a dose depe ndent manner with respect to the amount of DNA used in transfections, Furth er, overexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins revealed a dose-dependent tr anscriptional activation of the collagenase promoter. These findings, coupl ed with the existence of AP-1 consensus DNA binding sites on the collagenas e gene promoter, show that regulation of collagenase gene expression by IL- 1 beta involves the transcription factor AP-1 in gingival fibroblasts, (C) 2000 Academic Press.