title: Chemical carcinogens increase IL-1 alpha and IL-6 gene transcripts in human keratinocytes.
abstract: Using reverse transcriptase-linked polymerase chain reaction, the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 gene expression in cultured human keratinocytes was studied. Exposure to beta-naphthoflavone and benz(a)anthracene resulted in a higher copy number of IL-1 alpha and IL-6 mRNA while lower level of IL-1 beta mRNA was detected in these cells. These data suggest that, like ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, ubiquitous environmental carcinogenic PAHs are potent inducers of IL-1 alpha and IL-6 cytokines and, unlike UVB, they downregulate IL-1 beta in human keratinocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, OH.
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mukhtar
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Haqqi
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D001571:Benzoflavones / Q000633:toxicity*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D019324:beta-Naphthoflavone
chemical_list: D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes; D001571:Benzoflavones; D017931:DNA Primers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019324:beta-Naphthoflavone; C030935:benz(a)anthracene