title: Differential regulation of interleukin-6 and inducible cyclooxygenase gene expression by cytokines through prostaglandin-dependent and -independent mechanisms in human dental pulp fibroblasts.
abstract: Increased levels of interleukin-1 (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been detected in inflamed pulp tissue. To gain further insight into the molecular pathogenesis of pulpitis, we investigated the effects of IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha and PGE2, either alone or in combination on IL-6 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) production in cultured human dental pulp (HDP) fibroblasts. Exposure of HDP fibroblasts to IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha resulted in elevated levels of IL-6 (approximately 3.4 to approximately 10.4-fold) and COX-2 (approximately 5 to approximately 6.2-fold) mRNA. Simultaneous addition of IL-1alpha and PGE2 or TNF-alpha and PGE2 to the cultures significantly reduced the cytokine-induced IL-6 mRNA synthesis ranging from 45% to 65%. However, indomethacin enhanced the cytokine-stimulated IL-6 mRNA synthesis by approximately 1.7 to approximately 3.4-fold. This action could be reversed by exogenous PGE2. In contrast, PGE2 or indomethacin failed to modify the stimulatory effect of IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha on COX-2 gene expression. Because excessive levels of IL-6 and prostaglandins have been connected with the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, our results suggest the involvement of HDP fibroblasts in the development of pulpitis via producing IL-6 and COX-2. Furthermore, expression of IL-6 and COX-2 genes in this cell seems to be differentially regulated by cytokines through prostaglandin-dependent and -independent pathways.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
authors.forename: Sze-Kwan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mark Yen-Ping
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Juo-Song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jih-Jong
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chih-Chiang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chia-Tung
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Shun
authors.forename: Chi-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone; D007213:Indomethacin