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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Isolation, Processing and Analysis of Murine Gingival Cells
Published on: July 2, 2013
Crosstalk Between Human Monocytic U937 Cells and Gingival Fibroblasts in Coculturally Enhanced Matrix
Po-Jan Kuo1,2, Hsiao-Lun Lin2, Chi-Yu Lin2
1Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Background:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in inflammatory periodontal disease. Synergistically enhanced MMP-2 expression in a coculture of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and human monocytic U937 cells was observed. Crosstalk between these two cells via the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was demonstrated.
Methods:
Enzyme levels of MMP-2 in HGFs and direct coculture with U937 were examined by zymography. MMP-2 and EMMPRIN expressions of HGFs and U937 were determined in coculture and conditioned cultures (using supernatants from HGF- or U937-conditioned medium). The crosstalk was evaluated by EMMPRIN extrasupplement and EMMPRIN inhibition, through pretreatment of U937 with cyclosporine-A.
Results:
Direct coculturing of HGFs and U937 enhanced MMP-2 enzyme level and mRNA expression. Coculturing also increased membranous EMMPRIN expression of U937, but not from HGFs. In conditioned cultures, mRNA expression of MMP-2 increased in HGFs which received U937-conditioned medium. Increased MMP-2 was not observed in U937 with HGF-conditioned medium, although mRNA expression of EMMPRIN increased. Enhanced MMP-2 was observed after administration of exogenous EMMPRIN in HGFs; however, reduced MMP-2 enzyme level was noted if EMMPRIN of cocultured U937 was inhibited.
Conclusions:
In the coculture of HGFs and U937, upregulated EMMPRIN expression in U937, which may be triggered by HGFs, can enhance MMP-2 expression in HGFs. Crosstalk between HGFs and U937 involving MMP-2 from HGFs was proposed; EMMPRIN from U937 may play a particular role.
