Intracellular calcium level is upregulated by interleukin-32 in auditory cells

Interleukin (IL)-32 has been associated with inflammation, apoptosis, and chemokine induction. The intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of mammalian endolymph in the inner ear is required for normal hearing and balance. Here, we document for the first time that IL-32 highly increased intracellular calcium level and IL-1β expression in an auditory cell line, HEI-OC1 cells. Treatment with 1, 2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester, a chelator of intracellular calcium, inhibited IL-32-induced IL-1 β production and caspase-1 activation. Thus, IL-32 may contribute to modulation of the inflammatory reaction through the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) in the inner ear.