CCL17 drives the expression of MMP9 and MMP13 expression via ERK1/2 and NF-κB signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Chemokine (CC motif) ligand 17 (CCL17), an inflammatory chemokine, has been shown to mediate pain and inflammation in animal models of arthritis. However, the specific molecular mechanisms by which CCL17 mediates its inflammatory functions remain largely unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP9 and MMP13, are cartilage degrading enzymes that are known to contribute to joint pain and inflammation in arthritis. These MMPs, produced in significant quantities by macrophages, facilitate the breakdown of the extracellular matrix and are regulated by various signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer o..