[Visfatin upregulates MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions in human monocytes through activating NF-kappaB].

Objective: To investigate the effects of visfatin on the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions in human monocytes and related mechanisms.

Methods: Human monocytes were isolated from blood, the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 at mRNA and protein levels were detected in visfatin stimulated monocytes (0, 100, 200, 400 ng/ml) in the absence and presence of NF-kappaB inhibitor specific Bay11-7082 by Realtime PCR or Western blot, the MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzyme activity in the culture media was also detected by Gelatin Zymography. The NF-kappaB protein level and NF-kappaBp65 expression in visfatin stimulated cells were measured by Western blot and ELISA, respectively.