Hydrocortisone suppresses intranuclear activator-protein-1 (AP-1) binding activity in mononuclear cells and plasma matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9).

Having demonstrated recently that hydrocortisone (HC) suppresses intranuclear and total cellular nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and increases inhibitor kappa B (I kappa B) in mononuclear cells (MNC), in vivo, we have now investigated the effect of hydrocortisone on the other major pro-inflammatory transcription factor, AP-1 and the two proteins, MMP-2 and MMP-9, whose transcription is modulated by it. MMP's hydrolyze extracellular matrix proteins and thus, allow the spread of inflammation. HC (100 mg) was given intravenously to eight normal subjects following an overnight fast. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h. MNC were separated and the nuclear fractions and cellular homogenates were prepared by standard techniques. AP-1 binding activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA. AP-1 binding activity fell significantly at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h. Plasma MMP-2 concentration also decreased significantly at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h while MMP-9 decreased at 1 and 2 h. These data demonstrate that the acute anti-inflammatory effect of HC, in vivo, is, in part, due to AP-1 suppression and a reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9. Thus, HC may reduce the extracellular spread of inflammation through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases.