# EVALUATION OF TETRACYCLINES IN MODELS OF ARTHRITIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · 1987 · $91,405

## Abstract

The goal is to attain an understanding of how tetracyclines
inhibit collagenase production by synovial fibroblasts and
influence experimental models of arthritis.  The rationale for
this project is based on the increasing evidence that oral
administration of nontoxic doses of tetracycline compounds
suppresses collagenase production by gingival fibroblasts,
neutrophil chemotaxis, and delayed-type hypersentivity
responses in either rodents or humans.  The rabbit synovial
fibroblast system will be used to test further whether
tetracyclines inhibit release of collagenase activity and
prostaglandin E2 synthesis in vitro.  Separate experiments will
assess in vivo the potential antirheumatic properties of
tetracycline by analyzing whether these compounds exhibit
antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive and/or
collagenase-inhibition effects in the collagen and adjuvant
models of inflammatory polyarthritis in rats.  A final series
of experiments will use a polyclonal antibody and hybridization
of collagenase mRNA with a cDNA clone for synovial cell
collagenase to ascertain whether the mechanism of inhibition of
collagenase activity by tetracyclines involves interference
with activation of latent collagenase, chelation of cations, or
de novo induction of an inhibitory substance utilizing both
rabbit and human synovial fibroblast cultures.  The data
obtained from these experimental systems have the potential to
provide further evidence of whether a pilot feasibility study
of the effects of oral tetracycline therapy on rheumatoid
arthritis is warranted.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158804
- **Project number:** 5R01AR038819-02
- **Recipient organization:** BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1CPANL3EWK4
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID E TRENTHAM
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $91,405
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-09-30 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158804

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158804, EVALUATION OF TETRACYCLINES IN MODELS OF ARTHRITIS (5R01AR038819-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158804. Licensed CC0.

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