Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Vorinostat (SAHA) Suppresses IL-1β–Induced Matrix Metallopeptidase-13 Expression by Inhibiting IL-6 in Osteoarthritis Chondrocyte

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common whole-joint disease and is characterized by progressive loss of the cartilage matrix. Matrix metallopeptidase-13 (MMP-13) is a highly active and an abundantly expressed protease in OA cartilage and chondrocytes and degrades type II collagen and proteoglycans. We investigated the mechanism of MMP-13 suppression by histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat (SAHA). OA chondrocytes were obtained from knee cartilage after enzymatic digestion and treated with IL-1β in the absence or presence of various histone deacetylase inhibitors. Gene expression was quantified using quantitative RT-PCR. Protein expression and chromatin modifications were determined by Western immunoblotting using specific antibodies. The effect of IL-6 on the expression of MMP-13 was determined by treating chondrocytes with recombinant IL-6 or by IL6 knockdown using IL6 -specific siRNA. We found that SAHA is a potent suppressor of IL-1β–induced MMP-13, tumor necrosis factor-α, and other catabolic marker expression in OA chondrocytes. Interestingly, SAHA rescued the COL2A1 and ACAN expression in OA chondrocytes that was down-regulated by IL-1β. Of importance is our finding that IL-6–stimulated MMP-13 expression was independent of IL-1β stimulation and was blocked by SAHA, suggesting that SAHA inhibits IL-6 signaling in OA chondrocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that SAHA could be used as a therapeutic agent for the management of OA.