Objectives: This study investigated whether Mycoplasma fermentans (Mf) derived protein could stimulate blood cells or synoviocytes to produce various proinflammatory cytokines as well as matrix degrading enzyme, which associated with TMJ arthropaties. Methods: Induction of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-aand IL-1b) were examined on murine peritoneal macrophages (PEC) and human myelomonocytic cell line (THP-1). Cells were stimulated with Mf membrane protein extracted by TritonX-114 (TXLP). Cytokine level in the CSN was measured by ELISA. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 mRNA expression in rabbit synoviocyte cell line (HIG-82) was also examined by RT-PCR after TXLP stimulation. Receptors for Mf lipoprotein on THP-1 cells were investigated by FACS analysis. Results: TXLP significantly induced TNF-a and IL-1b production on PEC and THP-1 cells when compared with the unstimulated control [IL-1b(p<0.05), TNF-a(p<0.01); Student's T test]. MMP-3 mRNA expression of HIG-82 were also induced by TXLP stimulation. High level expressions of the receptors for Mf antigen, TLR2 and TLR4, on THP-1 were confirmed by FACS analysis using the specific monoclonal antibodies. Conclusions: We presented that M.fermentans-derived protein has strong mitogenic and cytokine inducing activities in both blood cells and synoviocyte. Mf protein also augmented transcription of matrix degrading enzyme (MMP3) on synoviocyte. These results may explain that Mycoplasma-derived protein or antigen would have potential to induce arthritis in TMJ, which may proceed to TMD.

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