Substance P activates NF-kappaB independent of elevations in intracellular calcium in murine macrophages and dendritic cells.
Professional antigen presenting cells, such as macrophages, can be activated by intracellular calcium-dependent as well as calcium-independent mechanisms, depending upon the stimulus used. In this report, we addressed the mechanism of substance P-induced intracellular signalling in murine macrophages and dendritic cells. While no increases in intracellular calcium concentration were detected in macrophages or dendritic cells using sensitive fluorimetric techniques, substance P did induce rapid enhanced activation of NF-kappaB, a transcriptional activator known to regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data provide an important mechanism by which substance P may augment the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
Marriott
I
I
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 28223, USA.
Mason
M J
MJ
Elhofy
A
A
Bost
K L
KL
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D013373:Substance P; D002118:Calcium