Inflammation suppression by dexamethasone via inhibition of CD147-mediated NF-κB pathway in collagen-induced arthritis rats

Dexamethasone (Dex) exhibits broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory effects in chronic destructive rheumatoid arthritis. We present in vivo and in vitro evidence supporting the preventive effects and underlying mechanisms of Dex on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)-induced synovial injuries. After successful induction of CIA, Wistar rats were administered Dex intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) three times a week for more than 2 weeks. In vivo, paw swelling, arthritis scores, and histological evaluations were analyzed to determine the therapeutic effects of Dex on the progression of arthritis. In vitro, CIA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were treated for 48 h with vehicle (control group), 10 ng/mL IL-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha group), 10 ng/mL IL-1 alpha + 10 mu M Dex (Dex group), or 10 ng/mL IL-1 alpha + 10 mu g/mL anti-CD147 antibody (anti-CD147 group). Evaluations of FLSs proliferation, cell cycle, migration, gene expression of Cyclin D1, p27, p57, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, CD147, CypB, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), MMP-9, and MMP-13, ROS generation, protein expression of NF-kappa B and CD147, and translocation of NF-kappa B p65 were all conducted. The in vivo results showed that arthritis intensity was attenuated in the Dex-treated group. The in vitro findings demonstrated that treatment with Dex induced G0/G1 arrest and suppressed proliferation, migration, gene expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-alpha, CD147, CypB, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13, ROS generation and protein expression of NF-kappa B and CD147. Translocation of NF-kappa B p65 was inhibited by both Dex and anti-CD147 monoclonal antibody treatment. We offer molecular evidence of the anti-rheumatism efficacy Dex through hindrance to CD147, splendidly stabilization of the oxidative stress by downregulating the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.