Resveratrol inhibits BK-induced COX-2 transcription by suppressing acetylation of AP-1 and NF-κB in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

Bradykinin (BK) induces inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Resveratrol is a potent activator of Sirt1 which could modulate inflammation through deacetylating histones of transcription factors. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying BK-induced COX-2 expression which is modulated by resveratrol/Sirt1 in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). We found that BK-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA expression associated with PGE₂ synthesis, and promoter activity was mediated through B2R receptors, which were attenuated by selective B2R antagonist Hoe140 or transfection with B2R siRNA. BK-induced responses were mediated through PKCμ, MAPKs, AP-1 and NF-κB which were inhibited by their respective inhibitors or siRNAs. Up-regulation of Sirt1 by resveratrol suppressed the BK-induced COX-2/PGE₂ production through inhibiting the interaction of AP-1 and NF-κB with COX-2 promoter in RASFs. BK-induced COX-2/PGE₂ expression is mediated through a B2R-PKCμ-dependent MAPKs, AP-1, and NF-κB cascade. Resveratrol inhibited the phosphorylation and acetylation of p65, c-Jun, and Fos and reduced the binding to the COX-2 promoter, thereby attenuated the COX-2 expression. Therefore, resveratrol may be a promising therapeutic intervention for treatment of inflammatory arthritis.