p38γ mitogen-activated protein kinase suppresses chondrocyte production of MMP-13 in response to catabolic stimulation

Summary Objective The signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for inflammatory signaling in chondrocytes that regulates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. We sought to determine the role of specific p38 isoforms in chondrocyte catabolic signaling in response to IL-1β and fibronectin fragments (Fn-f). Methods Human articular chondrocytes isolated from normal ankle cartilage from tissue donors or from osteoarthritic knee cartilage obtained during knee replacement were stimulated with IL-1β or Fn-f, with or without pretreatment with p38 inhibitors (SB203580 or BIRB796) or growth factors (IGF-1 and OP-1). p38 isoform phosphorylation was measured by antibody array and immunoblotting. MMP-13 expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoblotting. Chondrocytes were transfected with plasmids expressing constitutively active (CA) p38γ or with adenovirus expressing dominant negative (DN) p38γ. Results Stimulation of chondrocytes with either IL-1β or Fn-f led to enhanced phosphorylation of p38α and p38γ, with little phosphorylation of p38β or p38δ isoforms. p38α localized to the nucleus and p38γ to the cytosol. Inhibition of both p38α and p38γ with BIRB796 resulted in less inhibition of MMP-13 production in response to IL-1β or FN-f than did inhibition of only p38α with SB203580. Transfection with CA p38γ resulted in decreased MMP-13 production while transduction with DN p38γ resulted in increased MMP-13 production. IGF-1 and OP-1 pretreatment inhibited p38α phosphorylation but not p38γ phosphorylation. Conclusions p38γ is activated by catabolic stimulation of human articular chondrocytes, but interestingly suppresses MMP-13 production. Treatments that increase p38γ activation may be of therapeutic benefit in reducing chondrocyte production of MMP-13.