Carbon monoxide releasing molecule‐3 inhibits concurrent tumor necrosis factor‐α‐ and interleukin‐1β‐induced expression of adhesion molecules on human gingival fibroblasts

Song H, Zhao H, Qu Y, Sun Q, Zhang F, Du Z, Liang W, Qi Y, Yang P. Carbon monoxide releasing molecule‐3 inhibits concurrent tumor necrosis factor‐α‐ and interleukin‐1β‐induced expression of adhesion molecules on human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 48–57. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Carbon monoxide releasing molecule‐3 (CORM‐3) is a newly reported compound that has shown anti‐inflammatory effects in a number of cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of CORM‐3 on concurrent tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐ and interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced expression of adhesion molecules on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Material and Methods: HGF were cultured from the explants of normal gingival tissues. Cells were costimulated with TNF‐α and IL‐1β in the presence or absence of CORM‐3 for different periods of time. The expression of adhesion molecules, nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) and phosphorylated p38 was studied using western blotting. RT‐PCR was applied to check the expression of the adhesion molecules at the mRNA level. The activity of NF‐κB was analysed using a reporter gene assay. Results: CORM‐3 inhibited the up‐regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule in HGF after costimulation with TNF‐α and IL‐1β, which resulted in the decreased adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to these cells. Sustained activation of the NF‐κB pathway by costimulation with TNF‐α and IL‐1β was suppressed by CORM‐3, which was reflected by a reduced NF‐κB response element‐dependent luciferase activity and decreased nuclear NF‐κB‐p65 expression. CORM‐3 inhibited MAPK p38 phosphorylation in response to stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: The results of this study bode well for the application of CORM‐3 as an anti‐inflammatory agent to inhibit NF‐κB activity and to suppress the expression of adhesion molecules on HGF, which suggests a promising potential for CORM‐3 in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.