Modulation of C3 gene expression in HepG2 human hepatoma cells.
Inflammation elicits an acute phase response, which includes changes in plasma concentrations of a number of cytokines, reflecting changes in their gene transcription in the liver. In this study, the induction of complement factor 3 (C3) was investigated in HepG2 cells, a human hepatoma cell line often used as a model system for cytokine-dependent expression of acute phase proteins of the liver. By using a very sensitive RT-PCR assay, the amount of mRNA for C3 was measured after induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both substances were found to up-regulate C3 gene expression. C3 mRNA level was lower in LPS-treated cells compared to IL-6 induction and also reached maximum expression at an earlier time point. These findings suggest a coordinate stimulation of C3 expression in the hepatocytes, which then maintains the host response to infectious agents.
Department of Paediatric Research, The National Hospital, N-0027, Oslo, Norway. marianne.wright@klinmed.uio.no
M S
MS
Wright
N J
NJ
Sund
T G
TG
Abrahamsen
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D003176:Complement C3; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides