Regulation of metalloproteinases and NF‐κB activation in rabbit synovial fibroblasts via E prostaglandins and Erk: contrasting effects of nabumetone and 6MNA

1 Nabumetone is a prodrug that is converted in vivo into 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties. We tested the effects of nabumetone and 6MNA on the inflammatory responses of synovial fibroblasts (SFs). 2 Brief exposures to 6MNA (50-150 microm) had no effect on IL-1beta/TNF-alpha (each 20 ng ml(-1))-stimulated Erk activation. Longer exposures depleted prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) as much as 70%, and stimulated Erk as much as 300%. Nabumetone (150 microm) inhibited Erk activation by 60-80%. 6MNA (50-150 microm) stimulated (approximately 200%) and nabumetone (150 microm) inhibited (approximately 50%) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, but not MMP-13 secretion from SFs. 3 6MNA stimulation of MMP-1 secretion was inhibited approximately 30% by PGE1 (1 microm) and approximately 80% by the Erk pathway inhibitor UO126 (10 microm), confirming that PGE depletion and Erk activation mediate MMP-1 secretion by 6MNA. 4 Consistent with its role as an Erk inhibitor, nabumetone (150 microm) abrogated 6MNA enhancement of MMP-1 secretion. 5 UO126 (10 microm) and nabumetone (150 microm) inhibited (approximately 70 and 40%, respectively), but 6MNA (150 microm) enhanced (approximately 40%), NF-kappaB activation. 6 Our data indicate that 6MNA shares with other COX inhibitors several proinflammatory effects on synovial fibroblasts. In contrast, nabumetone demonstrates anti-inflammatory and potentially arthroprotective effects that have not been previously appreciated.