Involvement of nuclear factor kappa B in the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression by interleukin-1 in rheumatoid synoviocytes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate involvement of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in the increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) stimulated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in primary rheumatoid synoviocytes. METHODS We treated early-passage rheumatoid synoviocytes with IL-1 beta and examined the time course of NF-kappa B translocation to the nucleus by Western blot analysis, as well as NF-kappa B binding to the COX-2 promoter/enhancer by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We correlated the time course of NF-kappa B binding with expression of COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. Synoviocytes were then treated with either sense or antisense phosphorothioate-modified oligonucleotides derived from the transcription start site of the human NF-kappa B p65 RNA. We analyzed NF-kappa B binding to the COX-2 promoter and COX-2 protein levels after these treatments. RESULTS IL-1 beta rapidly stimulated the translocation of the p65, p50, and c-rel NF-kappa B subunits from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated binding to 2 NF-kappa B sites within the COX-2 promoter/enhancer, with a time course identical to that of nuclear localization of NF-kappa B. Supershift analysis revealed that binding activity was due primarily to the p65-p50 heterodimer and the p50 homodimer. With appropriate lag time after NF-kappa B binding, COX-2 mRNA and protein were increased. Pretreatment of RA synoviocytes with NF-kappa B p65 antisense oligonucleotides resulted in decreased binding to the COX-2 promoter and decreased COX-2 protein expression. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that signaling via the NF-kappa B pathway is involved in regulation of COX-2 expression induced by IL-1 beta in RA synoviocytes.