Transforming Growth Factor β1 Regulates Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases—1 Expression in Differentiated Human Articular Chondrocytes

Objective. To investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1) in the regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases—1 (TIMP-1) synthesis in human articular chondrocytes. Methods. Articular cartilage was obtained from human knee joints 24 hours after death. Chondrocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and embedded in low-gelling-temperature agarose. After stimulation by cytokines, total RNA was isolated and analyzed by Northern blotting. TIMP-1 protein levels were determined using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Human chondrocytes in agarose culture expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) for the IL-6 receptor (gp80) and its signal-transducing subunit gp130. In contrast to the findings in a previous study, IL-6 did not stimulate TIMP-1 expression in these cells, whereas TGF β1 was an important inducer of TIMP-1 mRNA and protein synthesis. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that TGF β1 has a protective effect on the extracellular matrix of human articular chondrocytes.