title: IL-1 alpha is constitutively expressed in the rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6.
abstract: The rat small intestinal epithelial cell line, IEC-6, was examined for the presence of IL-1 mRNAs using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction method. IL-1 alpha but not IL-1 beta transcripts were detected in plastic adherent cells. The levels of IL-1 alpha transcripts were similar in cells cultured at different densities. IL-1 activity was not detected, by bioassay, in the culture supernatant of the cells, nor was it membrane associated. IL-1 activity was detected in cell lysates, although its measurement was made difficult by the presence of an inhibitor of the bioassay. Intracellular IL-1 alpha was detectable using Western blots. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist mRNA was also detectable in plastic adherent cells. Treatment with TGF-beta 1, IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, or combinations of any two of these cytokines failed to induce the secretion of the IL-1 alpha or to significantly change the levels of mRNA. The IEC-6 cell line is similar to other epithelial cells in having intracellular pools of IL-1 alpha.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Stadnyk
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sisson
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007422:Intestines; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; C507764:Il1rn protein, mouse; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins