The carbon monoxide-releasing molecule CORM-2 inhibits the inflammatory response induced by cytokines in Caco-2 cells.
OBJECTIVE
Recent evidence indicates that carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) exhibit potential anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we have investigated whether tricarbonyl dichloro ruthenium(II) dimer (CORM-2) can control the inflammatory response induced by cytokines in a human colonic epithelial cell line, Caco-2.


METHODS
Caco-2 cells were preincubated with CORM-2 for 30 minutes and then stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma for different times. Gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. Protein expression was investigated by Western blot and ELISA. Transcription factor activation was determined by the luciferase method.


RESULTS
We have shown that CORM-2 significantly decreased the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) and the production of nitrite, in Caco-2 cells stimulated with cytokines. IL-8, IL-6 and metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) mRNA and protein were also significantly reduced by CORM-2. Time-course and small interfering RNA studies suggest that inhibition of IL-6 plays a role in the regulation of MMP-7 expression by CORM-2. These effects of CORM-2 can be dependent on the modulation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), activator protein-1, CCAT/enhancer binding protein and the phosphorylated forms of NF-kappaB inhibitory protein-alpha, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2, p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2.


CONCLUSIONS
CORM-2 can regulate a number of genes relevant in intestinal inflammation and cancer progression. These findings provide new insights into the anti-inflammatory properties and potential applications of this class of compounds.
Megías
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, University of Valencia, Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.
Busserolles
J
J
Alcaraz
M J
MJ
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016328:NF-kappa B; C000606204:NFKBIA protein, human; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C447082:tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7