Abstract
By secreting proteases such as cathepsins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), macrophage foam cells may be a major cause of ruptured atherosclerotic plaques. The aims of the present study were to investigate in vitro role of human macrophage foam cells in degrading type I collagen, a major component of extracellular matrix (ECM) in plaques, and to establish whether the pro-inflammatory molecules, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANK-L) increase this degradation. CD14+ monocytes isolated from peripheral blood were differentiated into macrophage foam cells and cultured on a type I collagen matrix in the presence of TNF-alpha and RANK-L. Matrix degradation was measured by the cathepsin K-generated C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and the MMP-generated carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) in supernatants showing that macrophage foam cells secrete MMPs and cathepsin K, resulting in release of ICTP and CTX-I. Stimulation with TNF-alpha increased CTX-I and ICTP dose dependently, with ICTP levels increasing by 59% and CTX-I levels increasing by 43%. RANK-L enhanced the release of CTX-I and ICTP by 56% and 72%, respectively. This is, to our knowledge, the first data describing a simple in vitro system in which macrophage foam cells degradation of matrix proteins can be monitored. This degradation can be enhanced by cytokines since TNF-alpha and RANK-L significantly increased the matrix degradation. This in vitro system in part is a model system for the macrophage-mediated proteolytic degradation of the ECM, which is found in many diseases with an inflammatory component.
Original language | English |
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Journal | ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 69-77 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 1540-658X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2012 |
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Biological Markers
- Cathepsin K
- Cells, Cultured
- Collagen Type I
- Extracellular Matrix
- Foam Cells
- Humans
- Inflammation Mediators
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
- Peptides
- RANK Ligand
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Up-Regulation