Type IV matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are members of the family of MMPs and are thought to play an important role in degradation of extracellular components. Human pulp cells can secrete and produce these enzymes. Recent evidence shows that MMPs may play a role in pulpal inflammation. To date little is known regarding the regulation of MMPs in human pulp cell cultures. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cytokines (interleukin-1 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CD), and protein kinase C inhibitors (H7 and Go6976) on the secretion and production of MMPs by human pulp cell cultures using gelatin zymography. The main gelatinase secreted by human pulp cells migrated at 72 kDa and represented MMP-2. Minor gelatinolytic bands were also observed at 92 kDa regions that correspond to MMP-9. After an 8-day culture period TGF-beta, CD, H7, and Go6976 were found to depress MMP-2 production. The inhibition decreased in an order of CD > H7 > TGF-beta > Go6976. IL-1 was found to elevate MMP-2 production. Human pulp cells, however treated with either cytokines or pharmacological agents had no effect on the pattern of MMP-9 produced or secreted in either cell extracts or conditioned medium fractions. These observations suggest that the cytokines and pharmacological agents can regulate MMP-2 produced by human pulp cells. Inflammatory cytokines stimulate the production of elevated levels of MMP-2 and MMP-2 might play a role in pulpal inflammation. In addition agents that target protein synthesis or the protein kinase C pathway in human pulp cells inhibit MMP-2 production, and such inhibition may contribute to the pathogenesis of pulpal inflammation. Such inhibition might contribute to therapeutic efficacy.
