BACKGROUNDThe elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is an important cause of chronic wound healing failure. Arsenolite, whose main component is arsenic trioxide (As2O3), is a common traditional Chinese medicine wildly used in treating chronic wounds; it can remove necrotic tissue and promote tissue regeneration. This research was designed to evaluate the effects of As2O3 on production and activities of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and on regulation of its signal transduction pathway in human skin fibroblasts (HSFb) and human monocyte line (THP-1 cells) that were in an inflammatory state.

METHODSWe established three cell models; HSFb activated by TNF-α, THP-1 cells activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and an HSFb-THP-1 co-culture system. Three cell models was cultured with As2O3 for 24 hours. The levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, TNF-α and IL-1β in the cell culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by RT-PCR. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were tested by Gelatin zymography assays. The phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK were assayed by Western blotting.

RESULTSAs2O3 inhibited the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA, the secretion and activity of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HSFb and THP-1 cells in the inflammatory state (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). It also inhibited the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells and in the co-culture system (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). It also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in HSFb and THP-1 cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSAs2O3, as a main component of arsenolite, can inhibit the production of MMPs by HSFb and THP-1 cells in an inflammatory state through inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors and the activation of the MAPK cascade pathway. This may be a possible mechanism for arsenolite healing chronic wounds.