[Expression and function of interleukin-18 in mouse dextran sulfate sodium colitis].
OBJECTIVE
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that induces Th1 cytokines production and may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. This study was aimed at detecting the expression and role of IL-18 in colonic mucosa of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitic mice.


METHODS
Expression of IL-18 in colon of DSS colitis was determined by immunohistochemistry. Extract and supernatant of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) from colon of DSS colitis mice were used to stimulate splenic mononuclear cells (SMC); IFN-gamma and IL-2 concentrations in supernatant of SMC were measured by ELISA. The levels of expression of IL-18 in extract or supernatant of IEC were examined by Western blot.


RESULTS
Colon epithelial cells and part of lamina propria mononuclear cells were stained positive for IL-18 antibody. Stimulation assay and Western blot indicated that IL-18 positive proteins were present in both IEC extract and supernatant.


CONCLUSIONS
Colon epithelial cells in mice with DSS colitis express and secret pro IL-18 and active IL-18.
Wen
Zhong-Hui
ZH
Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Quyang
Qin
Q
Zhang
Hu
H
Yi
Zhi-Hui
ZH
Wang
Yu-Fang
YF
D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
D020382:Interleukin-18; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016264:Dextran Sulfate