Effects of Sulfhydryl Compounds on Interleukin-1-Induced Vasucular Endothelial Growth Factor Production in Human Synovial Stromal Cells

Abstract

We investigated the effects of various sulfhydryl compounds on interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced vasucular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in human synovial stromal cells (HSSC). HSSC stimulated by IL-1β(100 ng/ml) produced VEGF and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. Monosulfhydryl compounds, N-acetylcysteine, D-penicillamine, tiopronin and the bucillamine-like disulfhydryl compound, compound A scarcely affected VEGF or IL-6 production at concentraitons of 10^-5 and 10^-4M. However, the disulfhydryl compound, budillamine in hibited VEGF production but not IL-6 production at concentrations of 10^-5 and 10^-4M. These results suggest that bucillamine may be a selective inhibitor of IL-1-induced VEGF production in HSSC, and that inhibition of VEGF production may require not only SH groups but also a specific chemical structure.