title: The intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist alters IL-1-inducible gene expression without blocking exogenous signaling by IL-1 beta.
abstract: The epithelium-associated tissue distribution of the intracellular IL-1R antagonist (icIL-1Ra) suggests that it functions as a novel regulatory molecule for IL-1 in somatic tissues. We examined the role of the icIL-1Ra in IL-1 beta-induced responses in human ovarian cancer cells because ovarian surface epithelium expresses transcripts for the icIL-1Ra, and the majority of ovarian cancers arise from these cells. Several human ovarian and cervical cancer cell lines spontaneously express the icIL-1Ra. icIL-1Ra-expressing cells did not have altered growth characteristics or altered short term responses to IL-1 compared with icIL-1Ra-nonexpressing cells. While a 90-min exposure to IL-1 beta resulted in increased steady state cytokine mRNA levels in all cells, icIL-1Ra-positive cells were incapable of maintaining IL-1-beta-induced expression of GRO mRNA. This did not result from decreased transcriptional activity of the GRO gene, but reflected differences in mRNA stability and/or degradation. To determine whether the icIL-1Ra altered mRNA stability, we used a retroviral expression vector to express the icIL-1Ra in an icIL-1Ra-negative cell line. The resulting cells displayed a profile of IL-1 beta-induced genes analogous to that found in cells spontaneously expressing icIL-1Ra. These data show for the first time an intrinsic biologic activity for the icIL-1Ra. The capacity to selectively alter IL-1-induced gene expression suggests that this version of the IL-1Ra is a unique intracellular inhibitor that attenuates IL-1 responses at a point downstream of the initial IL-1/IL-1 receptor interaction.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lofquist
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rinehart
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Makarov
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Haskill
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins