Feedlot dust stimulation of interleukin-6 and -8 requires protein kinase Cepsilon in human bronchial epithelial cells

Individuals exposed to dusts from concentrated animal feeding operations report increased numbers of respiratory tract symptoms, and bronchoalveolar lavage samples from such individuals demonstrate elevated lung inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6. We previously found that exposure of bronchial epithelial cells to hog barn dusts resulted in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent increase in IL-6 and IL-8 release. We hypothesized that cattle feedlot dusts would also generate bronchial epithelial interleukin release in vitro. To test this, we used interleukin ELISAs and direct PKC isoform assays. We found that a dust extract from cattle feedlots [feedlot dust extract (FLDE)] augments PKC activity of human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. A 5-10% dilution of FLDE stimulated a significant release of IL-6 and IL-8 at 6-24 h in a PKC-dependent manner vs. control medium-treated cells. An increase in PKCalpha activity was observed with 1 h of FLDE treatment, and PKCepsilon activity was elevated at 6 h of FLDE exposure. The PKCalpha inhibitor, G?-6976, did not inhibit FLDE-stimulated IL-8 and IL-6 release. However, the PKCepsilon inhibitor, Ro 31-8220, effectively inhibited FLDE-stimulated IL-8 and IL-6 release. Inhibition of FLDE-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 was confirmed in a dominant-negative PKCepsilon-expressing BEAS-2B cell line but not observed in a PKCalpha dominant negative BEAS-2B cell line. These data support the hypothesis that FLDE exposure stimulates bronchial epithelial IL-8 and IL-6 release via a PKCepsilon-dependent pathway.     

Interleukin 6/B cell stimulatory factor-II is expressed and released by normal and transformed human bronchial epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial cells have a potential to participate in local immune and inflammatory responses via releasing biologically active compounds. We studied the expression and release of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine possibly involved in tissue immune responses. Primary culture of normal human bronchial epithelial cells and its transformed cell line BEAS-2B released significant amount of biologically and immunologically intact IL-6 into media. A protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide abolished the IL-6 release, suggesting a de novo synthesis. Northern blot analysis demonstrated the expression of the specific IL-6 mRNA. Human bronchial epithelial cells can produce IL-6 and contribute to the local activity of IL-6, suggesting that these cells may play a role in the regulation of airway immune responses.     

Polarized Secretion of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 by Human Airway Epithelia 16HBE14o- Cells in Response to Cationic Polypeptide Challenge

Background

The airway epithelium participates in asthmatic inflammation in many ways. Target cells of the epithelium can respond to a variety of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Damage to the surface epithelium occurs following the secretion of eosinophil-derived, highly toxic cationic proteins. Moreover, the surface epithelium itself is responsible for the synthesis and release of cytokines that cause the selective recruitment, retention, and accumulation of various inflammatory cells. To mimic the damage seen during asthmatic inflammation, the bronchial epithelium can be challenged with highly charged cationic polypeptides such as poly-l-arginine.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, human bronchial epithelial cells, 16HBE14o- cells, were “chemically injured” by exposing them to poly-l-arginine as a surrogate of the eosinophil cationic protein. Cytokine antibody array data showed that seven inflammatory mediators were elevated out of the 40 tested, including marked elevation in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 secretion. IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression levels were elevated as measured with real-time PCR. Cell culture supernatants from apical and basolateral compartments were collected, and the IL-6 and IL-8 production was quantified with ELISA. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by 16HBE14o- epithelia into the apical compartment was significantly higher than that from the basolateral compartment. Using specific inhibitors, the production of IL-6 and IL-8 was found to be dependent on p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 MAPK, and NF-κB pathways.

Conclusions/Significance

The results clearly demonstrate that damage to the bronchial epithelia by poly-l-arginine stimulates polarized IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. This apically directed secretion of cytokines may play an important role in orchestrating epithelial cell responses to inflammation.     

In vitro production of cytokines is influenced by sulfatide and its precursor galactosylceramide.

Effects of sulfatide and its precursor galactosylceramide (gal-cer) on the kinetics of production of cytokines were studied. In human mononuclear leucocytes, gal-cer but not sulfatide induced significantly increased amounts of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA. In phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cultures, gal-cer increased the levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA and secreted IL-1beta and IL-6, while sulfatide decreased the amounts of IL-6 mRNA and secreted IL-6. Gal-cer also increased TNF secretion. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells, sulfatide but not gal-cer decreased the secretion of IL-1beta and IL-10, a potent suppressor of production of many cytokines. Thus, sulfatide and gal-cer affect cytokine production differently, most likely at the level of gene expression. This may have implications in diseases where inflammatory cytokines play a pathogenic role.     

Intracellular localization of human monocyte associated interleukin 1 (IL 1) activity and release of biologically active IL 1 from monocytes by trypsin and plasmin

The production of interleukin (IL 1) by normal human peripheral blood monocytes purified by Ficoll-Hypaque density sedimentation, Percoll-gradient sedimentation, and plastic adherence can be detected as early as 30 min intracellularly, and extracellularly within 1 hr after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production of mRNA coding for the isoelectric point 7.0 species of IL 1 was also detected as early as 1 hr after LPS stimulation and reached a maximum level at 6 hr. Cell-associated IL 1 activity could be extracted with CHAPS detergent from every cell fraction (i.e., membranes, cytosol, and particulates), but was present mainly (greater than 95%) in the cytosol of LPS-activated monocytes and the myelomonocytic cell line, THP-1. The apparent m.w. of IL 1 activity on high pressure liquid chromatography gel filtration in every cell fraction was approximately 23,000 daltons, with a minor peak at 31,000 daltons, whereas the IL 1 activity in the culture supernatants was 17,000 daltons. Western blotting analysis of LPS-stimulated monocyte extracts showed two forms of IL 1 corresponding to 31,000 daltons and 25,000 daltons. Exposure of viable cells to trypsin and plasmin released biologically active 23,000 dalton IL 1 only from IL 1-producing cells such as activated monocytes and IL 1-producing Ebstein-Barr virus B lymphocyte cell lines. Consequently, biologically active IL 1 is presumably exposed on the outer surface of cell membranes. Furthermore, IL 1 release by human monocytes in plasminogen-depleted fetal calf serum was considerably decreased. Conversely, supplementation of plasminogen-depleted serum with purified plasminogen restored the IL 1 production, suggesting that plasmin or plasmin-like factors may be involved in the regulation of the release of IL 1 from IL 1-producing cells. In conclusion, the results suggest that IL 1 is rapidly produced, is pooled in the cytosol, and in part is processed by enzymes, is transferred to the plasma membranes, and is then released from the cells. Tissue plasminogen activator and serum enzymes such as plasmin may therefore be involved in the release of IL 1 from IL 1-producing cells.     

Activation of human bronchial epithelial cells by inflammatory cytokines IL‐27 and TNF‐α: Implications for immunopathophysiology of airway inflammation

Interleukin (IL)‐27 is a member of IL‐6/IL‐12 family cytokines produced by antigen‐presenting cells in immune responses. IL‐27 can drive the commitment of naive T cells to a T helper type 1 (Th1) phenotype and inhibit inflammation in later phases of infection. Human bronchial epithelial cells have been shown to express IL‐27 receptor complex. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of IL‐27, alone or in combination with inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α on the pro‐inflammatory activation of human primary bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying intracellular signaling mechanisms. IL‐27 was found to enhance intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) expression on the surface of human bronchial epithelial cells, and a synergistic effect was observed in the combined treatment of IL‐27 and TNF‐α on the expression of ICAM‐1. Although IL‐27 did not alter the basal IL‐6 secretion from bronchial epithelial cells, it could significantly augment TNF‐α‐induced IL‐6 release. These synergistic effects on the up‐regulation of ICAM‐1 and IL‐6 were partially due to the elevated expression of TNF‐α receptor (p55TNFR) induced by IL‐27. Further investigations showed that the elevation of ICAM‐1 and IL‐6 in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by IL‐27 and TNF‐α was differentially regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3‐OH kinase (PI3K)‐Akt, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor‐κB pathways. Our results therefore provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in airway inflammation. J. Cell. Physiol. 223:788–797, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B blockade attenuates but does not abrogate LPS-mediated interleukin (IL)-1 beta biosynthesis in alveolar epithelial cells

The role that the nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B plays in regulating the biosynthesis of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, an inflammatory cytokine, has been investigated in vitro. Irreversible inhibition of the proteasome complex by carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal (MG-132; 1-50 microM) had no inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated IL-1 beta biosynthesis. Furthermore, selective inhibition of NF-kappa B by the action of caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE; 1-100 microM) and sulfasalazine (SSA; 0.1-10 mM), a potent and irreversible inhibitor of NF-kappa B, partially attenuated but did not abolish LPS-dependent IL-1 beta secretion. Incorporation of a selectively permeant inhibitor of NF-kappa B, SN-50 (1-20 microM), a peptide which contains the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for the p50 NF-kappa B subunit and the amino-terminal sequence of Kaposi fibroblast growth factor to promote cell permeability, attenuated in a dose-dependent manner LPS-mediated release of IL-1 beta. It is concluded that the NF-kapp B pathway is partially implicated and its blockade attenuates but does not abrogate LPS-dependent IL-1 beta biosynthesis in alveolar epithelial cells.     

Effects of cytokines on human thymic epithelial cells in culture. II. Recombinant IL 1 stimulates thymic epithelial cells to produce IL6 and GM-CSF

Our earlier study reported the ability of interleukin 1 (IL1) to promote proliferation and to induce morphological changes of human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) in culture. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of IL1 on the secretory function of TEC. Both human recombinant IL1 alpha and IL1 beta induced TEC to produce molecules in the culture supernatant fluids (TES) which displayed marked thymocyte proliferative capacities. This activity was specifically induced by IL1 since other TEC growth factors such as epidermal growth factor and a bovine pituitary extract had no effect on promoting secretion of T cell-activating molecules by TEC. Using specific radioimmunoassays for both forms of IL1, we found that unstimulated TEC produced negligible amounts of IL1 alpha and IL1 beta in TES, which were not increased by IL1 stimulation, and we concluded that the IL1-induced TES molecules were not IL1. IL1 induced TEC to produce IL6, as detected by the hybridoma growth factor biological activity. Neutralizing anti-IL6 antibodies completely blocked the thymocyte activating capacities of the IL1-induced TES thus implying a major role for IL6 in TEC-derived T cell activation. IL1 also induced TEC to produce GM-CSF as measured by bioassay and confirmed by an immunoenzymetric assay. Our results confirm that TEC are a source of cytokines and show that TEC respond to IL1 by producing cytokines with consequences on the thymic lymphoid population. This further emphasizes the importance and complexity of paracrine molecular interactions involved in intrathymic development.     

Protein kinase C and ERK activation are required for TFF-peptide-stimulated bronchial epithelial cell migration and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 secretion

TFF-peptides (formerly P-domain peptides, trefoil factors) are typical secretory products of many mucous epithelia and are aberrantly secreted during chronic inflammatory diseases. They are known to enhance the migration of intestinal, corneal, and bronchial epithelial cells. Using the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B as a model, it is shown here for the first time that TFF-peptides are capable of modulating the inflammatory response in vitro by regulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. In contrast, TFF2 itself does not change IL-6 and IL-8 secretion but triggers sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) as well as phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). A complex differential regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by TFF2 is observed that involves signaling via protein kinase C and ERK1/2. Furthermore, the motogenic effect of TFF2 on BEAS-2B cells is analyzed using a modified Boyden chamber assay. This migratory effect is shown to be dependent not only on protein kinase C and ERK1/2 but also on the activation of the Src family of tyrosine kinases. Taken together, the data presented indicate an important physiological role of TFF-peptides during inflammatory conditions of mucous epithelia.     

Adult human vascular endothelial cells express the IL6 gene differentially in response to LPS or IL1

We investigated the regulation of IL6 biological activity, de novo synthesis, and mRNA levels in adult vascular endothelial cells (EC) by bacterial endotoxin or inflammatory cytokines. Cells incubated without stimulus released scant IL6 activity. IFN gamma, IL2, or PDGF did not augment IL6 release from EC. LPS, lipid A, and TNF increased IL6 release modestly (5 to 20-fold), while recombinant IL1s (rIL1s) stimulated this process 100 to 400-fold. Differential release of IL6 from EC treated with LPS or rIL1 continued for at least 144 hr. Exposure to LPS or rIL1 caused EC to synthesize IL6 de novo. EC secreted the newly synthesized IL6 into the supernatant, rather than retaining it within or bound to cells. EC accumulated IL6 mRNA after 3 hr of exposure to rIL1. However, we could only detect IL6 message in cells incubated with LPS under "superinduction" conditions with cycloheximide, consistent with lower levels of IL6 biological activity in response to LPS compared to IL1 stimulation. We propose that local production of IL6 by vascular EC, which comprise the barrier between tissues and the blood, may influence regional immune and inflammatory responses.     

Expression of IL-1 beta and IL-8 by human gingival epithelial cells in response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The interaction between epithelial cells and microorganisms is the most important step in bacterial infections. Epithelial cells in response to exposure to pathogenic bacteria produce cytokines that initiate inflammation. However, little is known about the cytokine response of gingival epithelial cells to periodontopathogenic bacteria. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is thought to play a significant role in the initiation of periodontitis because of its bacteriological characteristics. In the present study, we investigated the cytokine induction by human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) following exposure to A. actinomycetemcomitans in comparison with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) in culture. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNAs of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-8, but not IL-6, in HGEC were induced in response to A. actinomycetemcomitans. Secretion of IL-8 by HGEC was also increased following A. actinomycetemcomitans challenge, whereas production of IL-1beta could not be detected. The levels of IL-8 and its mRNA were increased depending on the concentration of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The co-culture with HGF and A. actinomycetemcomitans resulted in an increase in the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA in HGF. However, HGF exposed to A. actinomycetemcomitans, showed no expression of IL-1beta mRNA. These findings demonstrated that HGEC and HGF stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans have different profiles in cytokine mRNA expression. Furthermore, A. actinomycetemcomitans may play an important role in amplifying the local immune response and in initiating inflammatory reaction through release of IL-8 from gingival epithelial cells.     

Hog barn dust extract stimulates IL-8 and IL-6 release in human bronchial epithelial cells via PKC activation.

Hog barn workers have an increased incidence of respiratory tract symptoms and demonstrate an increase in lung inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6. Utilizing direct kinase assays for protein kinase C (PKC) activation, we demonstrated that dust from hog confinement facilities, or hog dust extract (HDE), augments PKC activity of human airway epithelial cells in vitro. A 5% dilution of HDE typically stimulates an approximately twofold increase in human bronchial epithelial cell (HBEC) PKC activity compared with control medium-treated cells. This increase in PKC is observed with 15 min of HDE treatment, and kinase activity reaches peak activity by 1-2 h of HDE treatment before returning to baseline PKC levels between 6 and 24 h. The classic PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, blocks HDE-stimulated PKC activity and associated IL-8 and IL-6 release. Desensitization to HDE stimulation of PKC activation does not appear to occur because subsequent exposures to HDE after an initial exposure result in further augmentation of PKC. Detoxification of HDE with polymyxin B to remove endotoxin did not change PKC activation or IL-8 release, suggesting that endotoxin is not solely responsible for HDE augmentation of PKC. These data support the hypothesis that HDE exposure augments HBEC IL-8 and IL-6 release via a PKC-dependent pathway.     

TGFβ1 induces IL‐6 and inhibits IL‐8 release in human bronchial epithelial cells: The role of Smad2/3

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells contribute to asthmatic airway inflammation by secreting cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, including interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8 and transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, all of which are elevated in asthmatic airways. This study examines the signaling pathways leading to TGFβ1 induced IL‐6 and IL‐8 in primary HBE cells from asthmatic and non‐asthmatic volunteers. HBE cells were stimulated with TGFβ1 in the presence or absence of signaling inhibitors. IL‐6 and IL‐8 protein and mRNA were measured by ELISA and real‐time PCR respectively, and cell signaling kinases by Western blot. TGFβ1 increased IL‐6, but inhibited IL‐8 production in both asthmatic and non‐asthmatic cells; however, TGF induced significantly more IL‐6 in asthmatic cells. Inhibition of JNK MAP kinase partially reduced TGFβ1 induced IL‐6 in both cell groups. TGFβ1 induced Smad2 phosphorylation, and blockade of Smad2/3 prevented both the TGFβ1 modulated IL‐6 increase and the decrease in IL‐8 production in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic cells. Inhibition of Smad2/3 also increased basal IL‐8 release in asthmatic cells but not in non‐asthmatic cells. Using CHIP assays we demonstrated that activated Smad2 bound to the IL‐6, but not the IL‐8 promoter region. We conclude that the Smad2/3 pathway is the predominant TGFβ1 signaling pathway in HBE cells, and this is altered in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells. Understanding the mechanism of aberrant pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in asthmatic airways will allow the development of alternative ways to control airway inflammation. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 846–854, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Toll-like receptor 4 and MYD88-dependent signaling mechanisms of the innate immune system are essential for the response to lipopolysaccharide by epithelial and stromal cells of the bovine endometrium

Infection of the bovine endometrium with Gram-negative bacteria commonly causes uterine disease. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on cells of the immune system bind Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stimulating the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1B (IL1B) and IL6, and the chemokine IL8. Because the endometrium is the first barrier to infection of the uterus, the signaling cascade triggered by LPS and the subsequent expression of inflammatory mediators were investigated in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, and the key pathways identified using short interfering RNA (siRNA) and biochemical inhibitors. Treatment of endometrial cells with ultrapure LPS stimulated an inflammatory response characterized by increased IL1B, IL6, and IL8 mRNA expression, and IL6 protein accumulation in epithelial cells, and by increased IL1B and IL8 mRNA expression, and IL6 and IL8 protein accumulation in stromal cells. Treatment of endometrial cells with LPS also induced the degradation of IKB and the nuclear translocation of NFKB, as well as rapid phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) and MAPK14. Knockdown of TLR4 or its signaling adaptor molecule, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88), using siRNA reduced the inflammatory response to LPS in epithelial and stromal cells. Biochemical inhibition of MAPK3/1, but not JNK or MAPK14, reduced LPS-induced IL1B, IL6, and IL8 expression in endometrial cells. In conclusion, epithelial and stromal cells have an intrinsic role in innate immune surveillance in the endometrium, and in the case of LPS this recognition occurs via TLR4- and MYD88-dependent cell signaling pathways.     

Attenuation by dietary taurine of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice and of THP-1-induced damage to intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers

The effects of dietary taurine on the experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice were evaluated. C57BL/6 female mice were given 3% DSS in drinking water for 5 d to induce acute colitis. Taurine at 2% was added to the drinking water 5 d before and during the DSS-treatment to investigate its preventive effect. Taurine supplementation significantly attenuated the weight decrease, diarrhea severity, colon shortening, and the increase in the colonic tissue myeloperoxidase activity induced by DSS. Taurine also significantly inhibited the increase in the expression of a pro-inflammatory chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), but not of interleukin (IL)-1beta or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA. Furthermore, taurine significantly protected the intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers from the damage by macrophage-like THP-1 cells in an in vitro coculture system. These results suggest that taurine prevented DSS-induced colitis partly in association with (1) its inhibitory effects on the secretion of MIP-2 from the intestinal epithelial cells and on the infiltration of such inflammatory cells as neutrophils and (2) its cytoprotective functions on the epithelial barrier from the direct toxicity of DSS and from the inflammatory cell-induced injury.     

Down-regulation of interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptor expression by IL 1 and fate of internalized 125I-labeled IL 1 beta in a human large granular lymphocyte cell line

The regulation of interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptor expression on a human large granular lymphocyte cell line, YT, and fate of internalized 125I-labeled IL 1 beta (125I-IL 1 beta) were studied. YT cells were selected for this study, because this cell line expresses a large number of specific high-affinity receptor for IL 1, responds biologically to exogenously added IL 1 by expressing high-affinity IL 2 receptors, and does not produce IL 1. YT cells constitutively express approximately 7 X 10(3) IL 1 receptors/cell with a Kd approximately 10(-10) M. Neither IL 2, phorbol myristic acid, nor lipopolysaccharide affected the total binding of 125I-IL 1 beta by YT cells. In contrast, the capacity of YT cells to bind 125I-IL 1 beta when incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 to 16 hr with a low dose of purified IL 1 beta (approximately 6 U/ml) was reduced by greater than 80%. The loss of binding capability gradually recovered by 16 hr after removal of IL 1 beta from cultured YT cells. The apparent loss of IL 1 receptor expression was accompanied by the internalization of 125I-IL 1 beta into cells. Acid treatment of YT cells to remove bound 125I-IL 1 beta at 4 degrees C showed that 50% of the 125I-IL 1 beta bound to cells could no longer be recovered after 30 min at 37 degrees C, and this increased to 80% after 3 hr at 37 degrees C. Fractionation of cell extracts on Percoll gradient additionally showed 125I-IL 1 beta to appear intracellularly after receptor binding on plasma membranes, and to be successively transferred to some membranous organelles (d approximately equal to 1.037) through an intermediate density organelle (d approximately equal to 1.050), and to finally end up in lysosomal cell fractions (d approximately equal to 1.05 to 1.08) after approximately 3 hr at 37 degrees C. Only approximately 5% of internalized 125I-IL 1 beta was released into culture media by 6 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C. However, the radioactivity in the TCA soluble fraction of the culture media increased gradually by 6 hr and a lysosomotropic enzyme, ethylamine, significantly inhibited both the transfer of internalized 125I-IL 1 beta to the lysosomal fraction and the degradation of 125I-IL 1 beta. This study represents the first evidence of autoregulation of IL 1 receptors by IL 1 and internalization of IL 1 molecules after binding to receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Release of cytokines/chemokines and cell death in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes, HaCaT

Ultraviolet (UV) B can lead to inflammatory responses such as sunburn, which involves the production of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the induction of cell death. Keratinocytes in the skin has one of the highest risks of exposure to UV. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying UVB irradiation-induced inflammation and cell death are not well known. Thus, we investigated the effect of UVB irradiation on the production of various cytokines/chemokines and the induction of cell death in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). We evaluated 11 cytokines/chemokines in cell culture supernatants from HaCaT cells exposed to 0-400 mJ/cm(2) UVB irradiation. UVB at a dose 400 mJ/cm(2) induced the release of various cytokines; interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-gamma, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. These results suggest that UVB irradiation-induced the release of several cytokines/chemokines and led to cell death in human keratinocytes. UV exposure may be associated with multiple physiological events in the human skin.     

Matrix metalloproteinase secretion by gastric epithelial cells is regulated by E prostaglandins and MAPKs

Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play roles in inflammatory tissue injury, we asked whether MMP secretion by gastric epithelial cells may contribute to gastric injury in response to signals involved in Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation and/or cyclooxygenase inhibition. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated gastric cell MMP-1 secretion, indicating that MMP-1 secretion occurs in inflammatory as well as non-inflammatory situations. MMP-1 secretion required activation of the MAPK Erk and subsequent protein synthesis but was down-regulated by the alternate MAPK, p38. In contrast, secretion of MMP-13 was stimulated by TNF-alpha/IL-1beta but not EGF and was Erk-independent and mediated by p38. MMP-13 secretion was more rapid (peak, 6 h) than MMP-1 (peak > or =30 h) and only partly depended on protein synthesis, suggesting initial release of a pre-existing MMP-13 pool. Therefore, MMP-1 and MMP-13 secretion are differentially regulated by MAPKs. MMP-1 secretion was regulated by E prostaglandins (PGEs) in an Erk-dependent manner. PGEs enhanced Erk activation and MMP-1 secretion in response to EGF but inhibited Erk and MMP-1 when TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were the stimuli, indicating that the effects of PGEs on gastric cell responses are context-dependent. These data show that secretion of MMPs is differentially regulated by MAPKs and suggest mechanisms through which H. pylori infection and/or cyclooxygenase inhibition may induce epithelial cell signaling to contribute to gastric ulcerogenesis.     

IL 3 and IL 6 do not induce bone resorption in vitro

Bone resorption in vitro and in vivo can be induced by interleukin 1 (IL 1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), both of which are potent inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, there are other factors produced by cells which can active osteoclasts. Because diverse factors are involved in bone resorption, we examined the role of two other inflammatory cytokines, IL 3 and IL 6. IL 3 has been shown to induce the formation of osteoclast-like cells from precursors, while IL 6 is a potent mediator of inflammatory responses. Osteoclast activity in neonatal mouse calvaria was measured as 45Ca released into the supernatant fluid following a 48 hr incubation period with cytokine. Our results show that while parathyroid hormone (PTH) and IL 1 are potent inducers of bone resorption, neither IL 3 nor IL 6 displayed such activity.