Abstract: Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is upregulated following a tendon injury and in vitro studies have shown that it leads to numerous negative effects on tendon cell function and gene expression. IL-1β activates nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and we hypothesised that inhibiting NF-κB activation would mediate the negative effects of IL-1β on equine tendon cells in 3-dimensional (3D) cultures. Results: Here, we tested three inhibitors of NF-κB signalling (Bortezomib, BAY11-7082 and Wedelolactone) along withTJ-M2010-5, an inhibitor of MyD88, which is a critical adaptor protein for mediating IL-1β signalling. None of these inhibitors were able to rescue gel contraction by equine tenocytes exposed to IL-1β in 3D culture. However, the daily application of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-4 inhibitor PF-06650833 resulted in a partial rescue of collagen contraction and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by equine tenocytes in 3D culture. Global gene expression using RNA sequencing also revealed a partial rescue, although this was not as complete as that achieved using interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL1Ra), with many inflammatory pathways remaining upregulated. ENPP2 expression was significantly increased by IL-1β and rescued by both IL1Ra and PF-06650833 suggesting ENPP2 may be involved in collagen contraction. However, direct ENPP2 inhibition does not rescue IL-1β mediated inhibition of contraction and ENPP2 inhibition alone reduces collagen contraction. Conclusions: Together, this data demonstrates that IL-1β has a broad mechanism of action on tendon cells which cannot be fully mediated by targeting specific parts of the signalling pathway.
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Overview
This study investigates how inhibiting specific components of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) signaling pathway affects the negative impacts of IL-1β on equine tendon cells, particularly focusing on cellular function and gene expression changes in three-dimensional (3D) cultures.
The research found that blocking interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) partially alleviates IL-1β-induced dysfunction and gene expression changes in these tendon cells, though not completely.
Background
IL-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulated after tendon injury and is known to disrupt normal tendon cell function and gene expression.
IL-1β signals through pathways involving nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), leading to inflammation and reduced tendon healing capacity.
The MyD88 adaptor protein and IRAK-4 kinase are key components in transmitting IL-1β signals inside cells.
Strategies targeting these signaling molecules may help in counteracting IL-1β-induced damage in tendon cells.
Study Objectives
To test whether inhibition of NF-κB activation or upstream signaling components could reverse IL-1β’s negative effects on equine tenocytes (tendon cells) in a 3D culture model.
To evaluate the effects of different pharmacological inhibitors on cell function (gel contraction) and gene expression changes induced by IL-1β.
Methods
Equine tenocytes were cultured in 3D collagen gels treated with IL-1β to mimic post-injury inflammatory conditions.
Multiple inhibitors were tested:
Bortezomib, BAY11-7082, and Wedelolactone: inhibitors acting downstream on NF-κB signaling.
TJ-M2010-5: an inhibitor of MyD88, an adaptor protein directly involved in IL-1β signaling.
PF-06650833: a specific inhibitor of IRAK-4 kinase.
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL1Ra) was used as a reference control to block IL-1β receptor activation.
Cell function was measured through contraction of the collagen gels, a process related to tendon healing.
IL-6 production, a marker of inflammation, was also assessed.
Gene expression changes were analyzed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to understand global effects of IL-1β and the inhibitors.
Expression and role of the gene ENPP2 were specifically studied, given its regulation by IL-1β and potential involvement in cell contraction.
Key Findings
None of the NF-κB inhibitors (Bortezomib, BAY11-7082, Wedelolactone) nor the MyD88 inhibitor (TJ-M2010-5) were able to restore normal collagen gel contraction in the presence of IL-1β.
The IRAK-4 inhibitor PF-06650833 partially rescued the ability of tenocytes to contract collagen gels and partially reduced IL-6 production.
RNA sequencing showed that PF-06650833 partially reversed IL-1β-induced gene expression changes, but this rescue was incomplete compared to IL1Ra which had a broader inhibitory effect on inflammatory pathways.
The gene ENPP2 was strongly upregulated by IL-1β and this increase was reversed by both IL1Ra and PF-06650833.
However, direct inhibition of ENPP2 did not reverse the IL-1β-induced reduction in collagen contraction and instead reduced contraction when inhibited alone, indicating a complex role.
Interpretation and Conclusions
IL-1β acts through multiple pathways to influence tendon cell function and gene expression, making it challenging to fully mitigate its effects by targeting individual signaling components.
IRAK-4 inhibition can partially protect tendon cells from IL-1β effects but does not restore full function, suggesting redundancy or parallel pathways contribute to IL-1β’s impact.
The partial rescue by PF-06650833 implies that IRAK-4 is an important but not exclusive mediator of IL-1β signaling in tendon cells.
The incomplete gene expression rescue and persistent inflammation after IRAK-4 inhibition highlight the complexity of IL-1β signaling and its regulation of tendon cell biology.
ENPP2’s role in tenocyte contraction and its regulation by IL-1β suggest it may be a downstream effector or marker but not a straightforward therapeutic target because its inhibition also reduces contraction.
These findings underline the need for broader or multi-target therapeutic strategies to effectively counteract IL-1β-induced tendon damage and improve healing outcomes.
Cite This Article
APA
Beaumont RE, Flood C, Guest DJ.
(2025).
Inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-4 provides partial rescue of interleukin-1 beta induced functional and gene expression changes in equine tenocytes.
Mol Biol Rep, 53(1), 54.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-025-11219-2
Centre for Vaccinology and Regenerative Medicine, Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
Flood, Caroline
Centre for Vaccinology and Regenerative Medicine, Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
Guest, Deborah Jane
Centre for Vaccinology and Regenerative Medicine, Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK. djguest@rvc.ac.uk.
Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval: The cells used in this study were collected and used with the approval of the Royal Veterinary College Clinical Research Ethical Review Board (URN 2020 2017-2).
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