Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 stimulate matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion in cultured myenteric glia

Western blotting of culture media of myenteric glia stained positive for GFAP revealed increased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) stimulated cells (10 ng/mL) versus control (142 +/- 19 versus 42 +/- 19, P < 0.05). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulated cells also showed increased expression of MMP-9 (10 ng/mL) versus control (69 +/- 14 versus 4 +/- 2, P < 0.01). Control and cytokine-stimulated cells secreted MMP-2 constituitively. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that products were biologically active. Cytoplasmic staining for MMP-9 was detected in IL-1 beta and IL-6-stimulated cells but was negligible in controls. Cultured myenteric glia are responsive to IL-1 beta and IL-6 stimulation by secreting MMPs into the extracellular environment. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.