Effect of amplitude and frequency of cyclic tensile strain on the inhibition of MMP-1 mRNA expression in tendon cells: an in vitro study

Connect Tissue Res. 2003;44(3-4):181-7. doi: 10.1080/03008200390215881.

Abstract

To determine the effect of cyclic strain amplitude and frequency on MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) expression in tendon cells, rat tail tendons (RTT) were immobilized or cyclically displaced to various amplitudes (1, 3, or 6% strain at 0.017 Hz) or frequencies (1% strain at 0.017, 0.17, or 1.0 Hz) for 24 hr. Stress-deprivation for 24 hr resulted in a marked upregulation in MMP-1 expression. Cyclic tensile loading at 0.017 Hz was found to significantly inhibit, but not completely eliminate, MMP-1 expression at 1% strain. MMP-1 expression was completely eliminated at 3 and 6% strain. Increasing the frequency of application of the 1% strain to 0.17 or 1.0 Hz completely eliminated MMP-1 expression. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D abolished all inhibitory effects of cyclic strain on MMP-1 expression. The results of our study demonstrate that MMP-1 expression in tendon cells can be modulated by varying amplitudes and frequencies of cyclic tensile strain, presumably through a cytoskeletally based mechanotransduction pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cytochalasin D / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / genetics*
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / genetics
  • Periodicity
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tendons / cytology
  • Tendons / enzymology*
  • Tensile Strength / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Weight-Bearing / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cytochalasin D
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1