In vitro modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression and nitric oxide synthesis by procalcitonin.
OBJECTIVE
Serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentration was recently introduced as valuable diagnostic marker for systemic bacterial infection and sepsis. At present, the cellular sources and biological properties of PCT are unclear. During sepsis and septic shock, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression is stimulated followed by the release of large amounts of nitric oxide (NO). We investigated the possible association between PCT and iNOS gene expression in an in vitro cell culture model.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled in vitro cell culture study.


METHODS
University research laboratories.


METHODS
Confluent rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were incubated for 24 hrs and 48 hrs with PCT (1 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, 1,000 ng/mL, 5,000 ng/mL) alone or with the combination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 500 U/mL) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 100 U/mL). iNOS gene expression was measured by qualitative as well as quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, NO release was estimated by the modified Griess method.


RESULTS
PCT in increasing concentrations had no effect on iNOS gene expression and nitrite/nitrate release for 24 hrs and 48 hrs, respectively. However, PCT ameliorated TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-induced iNOS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner (maximal inhibition at PCT 100 ng/mL by -66% for 24 hrs and -80% for 48 hrs). This was accompanied by a significantly reduced release of nitrite/nitrate into the cell culture supernatant (maximal reduction at PCT 100 ng/mL by -56% and -45% for 24 hrs and 48 hrs, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that recombinant PCT inhibits the iNOS-inducing effects of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha/ IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. This might be a counter-regulatory mechanism directed against the large production of NO and the concomitant systemic hypotension in severe sepsis and septic shock.
Hoffmann
G
G
Department of Physiology I, University of Bonn, Germany.
Totzke
G
G
Seibel
M
M
Smolny
M
M
Wiedermann
F J
FJ
Schobersberger
W
W
D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
C000606591:Calca protein, rat; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002116:Calcitonin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide