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 periodontal disease, The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1 beta stimulates the expression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor and, consequently, if the AP-1 transcription factor participates in the regulation of collagenase gene expression in human gingival fibroblast cells, In this study, we demonstrate that the concentration of the protein components 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, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and Western blot analysis, The IL-1 beta stimulated the collagenase-CAT and AP-1-CAT activities in a dose dependent manner with respect to the amount of DNA used in transfections, Further, overexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins revealed a dose-dependent transcriptional activation of the collagenase promoter. These findings, coupled with the existence of AP-1 consensus DNA binding sites on the collagenase 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.