Expression of TREM-2 and its inhibitory effects on TNF-α induced inflammation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes via inhibiting p38 pathway activation
Huang, S.H.; Liu, G.W.; Li, J.H.; Xu, J.H.; Xu, D.W.; Zhang, W.Q.; Huang, J.R.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 36(2): 185-194
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 28869414 Document Number: 695515
It is not clear whether TREM-2 (the "triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2") is expressed in fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs). In this study, we aimed to determine the expression of TREM-2 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-FLSs and explore whether and how TREM-2 modulates the function of RA-FLSs. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of TREM-2 in RA-FLSs, siRNA and lentivirus were used to down-regulate and up-regulate the expression of TREM-2 in RA-FLSs. Then mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13 was determined by RT-qPCR. Protein secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13 in the supernatant was determined by ELISA assay; expression of cell signal transduction molecules was determined by western blot. A: Relative to OA-FLSs, mRNA and protein expression levels of TREM-2 in RA-FLSs are significantly elevated. TREM-2 protein is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of RA-FLSs; B: In RA, the expression of TREM-2 was reduced at first and then up-regulated after stimulation by TNF-α. TREM-2 also inhibited the activation of TNF-α induced of inflammation in RA-FLSs by the p38 pathway, which regulates the production of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. TREM-2 expressed in RA-FLSs and TNF-α mediated reduction of inflammatory reactions. These phenomena indicated that TREM-2 may be a potential target in the treatment of RA.