Objective This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of arecoline-induced matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9) expression in epithelial HaCaT cells. Methods HaCaT cells were treated with arecoline having different concentrations at different times. MMP9, nuclear factor(NF)-κB, activator protein(AP)-1, and Ets-1 protein expressions were detected by western blot analysis. Transcription factors of regulated MMP-9 expression induced by arecoline were detected by RNA interference test. Results Arecoline upregulated MMP9 expression in HaCatcells through the modes of dosage and time symbiosis. Furthermore, arecoline upregulated NF-κB, AP-1, and Ets-1 protein expressions. As detected by the siRNA test, arecoline affected MMP9 through transcription factors, such as NF-κB, AP-1, and Ets-1, especially NF-κB. Conclusion Arecoline can upregulate MMP9 expression by promoting NF-κB, AP-1, and Ets-1 expressions and primarily through NF-κB transcription.
