Inhibition by Interleukin-4 of stromelysin expression in human skin fibroblasts: role of PKC.

This study explores novel aspects of the interaction between inflammatory mediators and extracellular matrix degradation. Here we have evaluated the effects of a T-cell cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the expression and activity of a metalloprotease, stromelysin, and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in human skin fibroblasts. IL-4 strongly decreased stromelysin mRNA levels and stromelysin-producing activity induced by IL-1 beta-treated and untreated cells. Under the same experimental conditions, TIMP-1 mRNA expression was slightly modified. Phorbol ester (PMA), a PKC activator, induced stromelysin gene expression, an effect enhanced by the addition of IL-1 beta. IL-4 was not able to decrease the PMA and PMA + IL1 beta effects. Calphostin, a specific PKC inhibitor, inhibited stromelysin mRNA expression induced by IL-1 beta. Forskolin, a PKA activator, did not modify mRNA levels and was not able to reduce the effect of IL-4 on IL-1 beta-induced stromelysin expression. These data suggest that in human dermal fibroblasts, activation of PKC abolishes the observed IL-4 effect on both basal and IL-1 beta-induced stromelysin gene expression. It therefore appears that lack of PKC activation is a prerequisite for the inhibitory effect of IL-4 in the system.