TY - JOUR
T1 - Estrogen and progesterone regulation of human fibroblast-like synoviocyte function in vitro
T2 - Implications in rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Khalkhali-Ellis, Zhila
AU - Seftor, Elisabeth A.
AU - Nieva, Daniel R.C.
AU - Handa, Robert J.
AU - Price, Richard H.
AU - Kirschmann, Dawn A.
AU - Baragi, Vijaykumar M.
AU - Sharma, Ram V.
AU - Bhalla, Ramesh C.
AU - Moore, Terry L.
AU - Hendrix, Mary J.C.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Objective. Despite increasing evidence regarding the significance of sex hormones in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their etiopathological role and potential longterm effect on joint destruction remain unclear. We hypothesized that estrogen receptors (ER-α) are present in fibroblast-like synoviocytes, and 17β-estradiol can modulate the production and activity of matrix degrading enzymes produced by these cells. Thus, depending on the endocrine balance, fibroblast-like synoviocyte activity can be suppressed or enhanced, leading to amelioration or exacerbation of the disease process, respectively. Methods. By utilizing an in vitro cartilage invasion model, in combination with the molecular analyses of hormone receptors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their respective inhibitors, we investigated the effect of hormones (i.e., estrogen and progesterone) on fibroblast-like synoviocyte phenotypic changes, with particular emphasis on their functional interactions with cartilage. Results. Our studies reveal the presence of functional ER-α in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. The findings indicate that estrogen exerts a stimulatory effect, while progesterone has an inhibitory effect on the expression of MMP, their tissue inhibitors (TIMP), and enzymatic activity of MMP produced by these cells. Furthermore, transfection of fibroblast-like synoviocytes with the ER-α gene resulted in the increased degradation and invasion of cartilage. Conclusion. We identified the presence of functional ER-α in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. This renders fibroblast- like synoviocytes as target cells for hormonal regulation. The regulatory effect of estrogen is partly targeted to the MMP and their respective inhibitors associated with fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Such studies provide a link between hormonal status and disease activity in RA and open new venues for future therapeutic intervention to combat this debilitating disease.
AB - Objective. Despite increasing evidence regarding the significance of sex hormones in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their etiopathological role and potential longterm effect on joint destruction remain unclear. We hypothesized that estrogen receptors (ER-α) are present in fibroblast-like synoviocytes, and 17β-estradiol can modulate the production and activity of matrix degrading enzymes produced by these cells. Thus, depending on the endocrine balance, fibroblast-like synoviocyte activity can be suppressed or enhanced, leading to amelioration or exacerbation of the disease process, respectively. Methods. By utilizing an in vitro cartilage invasion model, in combination with the molecular analyses of hormone receptors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their respective inhibitors, we investigated the effect of hormones (i.e., estrogen and progesterone) on fibroblast-like synoviocyte phenotypic changes, with particular emphasis on their functional interactions with cartilage. Results. Our studies reveal the presence of functional ER-α in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. The findings indicate that estrogen exerts a stimulatory effect, while progesterone has an inhibitory effect on the expression of MMP, their tissue inhibitors (TIMP), and enzymatic activity of MMP produced by these cells. Furthermore, transfection of fibroblast-like synoviocytes with the ER-α gene resulted in the increased degradation and invasion of cartilage. Conclusion. We identified the presence of functional ER-α in fibroblast-like synoviocytes. This renders fibroblast- like synoviocytes as target cells for hormonal regulation. The regulatory effect of estrogen is partly targeted to the MMP and their respective inhibitors associated with fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Such studies provide a link between hormonal status and disease activity in RA and open new venues for future therapeutic intervention to combat this debilitating disease.
KW - Estrogen receptor-α
KW - Matrix metalloproteinases
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
KW - Sex hormones
KW - Synoviocytes
KW - Timp
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0033940150&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 10914842
AN - SCOPUS:0033940150
SN - 0315-162X
VL - 27
SP - 1622
EP - 1631
JO - Journal of Rheumatology
JF - Journal of Rheumatology
IS - 7
ER -