[The effects of erythromycin on the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1 and expression of connexin 43 in human pleural mesothelial cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of erythromycin on secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), and the level of connexin 43 in human pleural mesothelial cells (HPMC), and to explore the mechanism of pleurodesis.


METHODS
HPMC was incubated with erythromycin at concentrations of 100 mg/L or 25 mg/L. The levels of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta(1) in the supernatants were measured by ELISA method, and levels of connexin 43 were detected by Western blot.


RESULTS
The secretion of TNF-alpha by HMPC increased after incubation with 100 mg/L erythromycin for 3 or 5 days, and the secretion of TGF-beta(1) increased markedly after incubation with lower or higher concentrations of erythromycin. The levels of connexin 43 in HPMC decreased after stimulation with 100 mg/L erythromycin, but no relationship was observed between the levels and the stimulation time.


CONCLUSIONS
HPMC incubated with erythromycin showed increased secretion of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta(1), which may be one of the mechanisms for erythromycin pleurodesis. Erythromycin decreased the level of connexin 43 in HPMC, and this effect may be a response of the cells to the stimulus. A high concentration of erythromycin is suggested for clinical pleurodesis based on the results from this study.
Huang
Jian-Qiang
JQ
Department of Respirology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Xie
Can-Mao
CM
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D017630:Connexins; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004917:Erythromycin