Interleukin-10 is up-regulated by prolactin and serum-starvation in cultured mammary epithelial cells.
The epithelial cells of the mammary gland go through a cycle of growth, differentiation, and involution during pregnancy. Recently, we found that interleukin-10 (IL-10) was induced at the involution stage and contributed to apoptosis in the mammary gland. To elucidate the role of the epithelial cells in involution, we examined IL-10 expression in an in vitro model of HC11 cells, in various culture conditions. IL-10 was weakly expressed early in growth but when the cells were induced to differentiate by insulin and dexamethasone expression increased slightly. Prolactin in combination with insulin and dexamethasone caused a further increase. To mimic apoptosis the culture was deprived of serum as well as hormones, and this resulted in a gradual increase in IL-10. In contrast with its ligand, the IL-10 receptor itself was not expressed in any conditions. We speculate that release of IL-10 from the epithelial cells recruits lymphocytes, which have IL-10 receptors on their cell membranes, and they in turn secrete death factors inducing apoptosis of the epithelial cells.
Kim
Tae-Won
TW
Department of Biology, Dongguk University, Seoul 100-715, Korea.
Moon
Hyung-Bae
HB
Kim
Sun Jung
SJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D007328:Insulin; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10; D016753:Interleukin-10; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011388:Prolactin