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Suppression of fibroblast metalloproteinases by ajulemic acid, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid
Author(s) -
Johnson David R.,
Stebulis Judith A.,
Rossetti Ronald G.,
Burstein Sumner H.,
Zurier Robert B.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.21046
Subject(s) - matrix metalloproteinase , arthritis , cannabinoid , inflammation , peroxisome proliferator activated receptor , tumor necrosis factor alpha , chemistry , rheumatoid arthritis , fibroblast , endocrinology , medicine , pharmacology , receptor , biochemistry , in vitro
Abstract Production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in joint tissue of patients with inflammatory arthritis facilitates cartilage degradation and bone erosion, and leads to joint deformities and crippling. Thus, MMPs are important targets for agents designed to treat inflammatory arthritis. Oral administration of ajulemic acid (AjA), a synthetic, nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid, prevents joint tissue injury in rats with adjuvant arthritis. AjA binds to and activates PPARγ directly. Therefore, we investigated the influence of AjA on MMP production in human fibroblast‐like synovial cells (FLS), and examined the role of PPARγ in the mechanism of action of AjA. FLS, treated or not with a PPARγ antagonist, were treated with AjA then stimulated with TNFα or IL‐1α. Release of MMPs‐1, 3, and 9 was measured by ELISA. The influence of AjA on MMP‐3 release from stimulated PPARγ positive (PPAR +/− ) and PPARγ null (PPAR −/− ) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) was also examined. Addition of AjA to FLS suppressed production of MMPs whether or not PPARγ activation was blocked. Secretion of MMP‐3 was also suppressed by AjA in both TNFα‐ and IL‐1α‐stimulated PPARγ +/− and PPARγ −/− MEF. Suppression of MMP secretion from FLS by AjA appears to be PPARγ independent. Prevention by AjA of joint tissue injury and crippling in the rat adjuvant arthritis model may be explained in large part by inhibition of MMPs. These results suggest that AjA may be useful for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 184–190, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.