Monocyte CD147 is induced by advanced glycation end products and high glucose concentration: possible role in diabetic complications.

CD147 is a highly glycosylated transmembrane protein that is known to play a role in regulation of many protein families. It has the unique ability to maintain functional activity in both the membrane bound state and in the soluble form. CD147 is known to play a role in regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, but whether its expression is affected by the diabetic milieu is not known, and its role in regulation of monocyte MMPs in this environment has not been investigated. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and high glucose (HG; 25 mM), on monocyte CD147 expression. Culture of THP-1 monocytes in the presence of AGEs or HG significantly increased CD147 at the gene and protein level. THP-1 cell results were confirmed using freshly isolated monocytes from human volunteers. The effect of AGEs and HG on CD147 expression was also mimicked by addition of proinflammatory cytokines. Addition of AGEs or HG also increased expression of monocyte MMP-1 and MMP-9 but not MMP-2. This increase in MMPs was significantly attenuated by inhibition of CD147 using either a small interfering RNA or an anti-CD147 antibody. Inhibition of NF-κB or addition of antibodies to either TNF-α or the receptor for AGE (RAGE) each significantly prevented in a dose-dependent manner the induction of CD147 gene and protein by AGE and also decreased MMP-1 and MMP-9. This novel result shows that AGEs can induce monocyte CD147 expression, an effect mediated by inflammatory pathways and RAGE. Because MMPs play a role in monocyte migration, inhibition of their regulator CD147 may assist in the prevention of diabetic complications, particularly those where monocyte infiltration is an early initiating event.