Does interleukin-lβ induce migration of rat arterial smooth muscle cells through a mechanism involving increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity?
IL-lβ increases MMP-2 activity in VSMC through increased protein synthesis and activation of pro-MMP-2. VSMC migration induced by IL-lβ requires active MMP-2. IL-lβ may play a role in arterial remodeling following injury.
0.05 micro g/ml hydrocortisone treated chondrocytes had decreased catabolic signalling pathways and showed an enhanced ability to synthesise ECM macromolecules. Because IL1 activity was decreased and the expression of IL1RII decoy receptor enhanced, more of the ECM macromolecules produced remained accumulated in the CAM of the chondrocytes. The effects were obtained at doses comparable with physiological plasma levels of hydrocortisone in humans.