The multifunctional cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an important mediator in intestinal inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the constitutive expression of IL-18 and its receptors (IL-18Ralpha and IL-18Rbeta) in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition, cellular proliferation and evaluation of brush border enzymes as differentiation markers were studied. Nontransformed rat intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells were grown on an extracellular matrix (ECM) in medium with or without TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or a combination of both. Gene expression of IL-18, its receptors and apoptotic markers was evaluated using real-time PCR. Expression of IL-18Ralpha protein was demonstrated by flow cytometry and Western blot. Enzymatic activities of brush border enzymes and caspase-1 were determined. The constitutive expression of IL-18, IL-18Ralpha and IL-18Rbeta mRNAs and proteins were detected in IEC-6 cells. The biologically active form of IL-18 was released in response to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma treatment. Exogenous IL-18 had no effect on cellular proliferation, brush border enzyme activities, and gene expression of apoptotic markers. However, the addition of IL-18 stimulated production and release of the chemokine IL-8. These data suggest that IEC-6 cells may be not only a source of IL-18 but also a target for its action.

• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• chemokin CCL2 metabolismus   MeSH
• epitelové buňky MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• interferon gama farmakologie   MeSH
• interleukin-18 genetika   sekrece   MeSH
• kaspasa 1 metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kultivační média MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• počet buněk MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce s reverzní transkripcí MeSH
• receptor interleukinu-18 - alfa-podjednotka genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor interleukinu-18 - beta-podjednotka genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese účinky léků   MeSH
• střeva cytologie   MeSH
• TNF-alfa farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH