Acquired interferon gamma responsiveness during Caco-2 cell differentiation: effects on iNOS gene expression.
BACKGROUND
Impairment of intestinal barrier function occurs under a variety of inflammatory conditions and is mediated at least in part by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Previous in vivo studies have shown that systemic lipopolysaccharide treatment caused an induction of the rat inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA primarily in villus cells, rather than in undifferentiated crypt cells.


OBJECTIVE
To examine iNOS induction by IFN-gamma in vitro as a function of enterocyte differentiation.


METHODS
Preconfluent and postconfluent Caco-2 cells were treated with IFN-gamma in the presence or absence of various inhibitors. Northern analyses were performed to assess the magnitude of iNOS mRNA induction. IFN-gamma receptor mRNA and protein levels were determined.


RESULTS
iNOS mRNA induction by IFN-gamma occurred at two hours and was not blocked by cycloheximide, indicating that it is an immediate early response. iNOS induction and nitrite/nitrate increases were inhibited by dexamethasone and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, supporting an important role for the NF-kappaB transcription factor in this process. The stimulated iNOS induction was seen almost exclusively under conditions of cellular differentiation-that is, in postconfluent Caco-2 cells. This increased IFN-gamma responsiveness seen in postconfluent Caco-2 cells correlated with an increased expression of IFN-gamma receptor, whereas T84 and HT-29 cells did not show any significant alterations in either iNOS induction or IFN-gamma receptor levels as a function of postconfluent growth.


CONCLUSIONS
With regard to iNOS mRNA induction, IFN-gamma responsiveness is acquired during Caco-2 cell differentiation, perhaps related to an increase in the numbers of IFN-gamma receptors.
Chavez
A M
AM
Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Morin
M J
MJ
Unno
N
N
Fink
M P
MP
Hodin
R A
RA
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018938:Caco-2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
D007371:Interferon-gamma; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor; C496319:NOS2 protein, human