title: The ICE inhibitor pralnacasan prevents DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice and suppresses IP-10 mRNA but not TNF-alpha mRNA expression.
abstract: Previously we demonstrated an ameliorating effect of the interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitor pralnacasan on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. This study investigates the effects of pralnacasan on cytokine expression in DSS-induced colitis. Colitis was induced by oral administration of DSS. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with the ICE inhibitor pralnacasan (50 mg/kg body weight twice daily). Body weight as well as the presence of occult blood or diarrhea was monitored daily. Subgroups were sacrificed at days 4, 8, and 11 after the beginning of DSS application. Cytokine profiles in colonic tissue were analyzed on the protein level by ELISA and on the mRNA level by real time RT-PCR. Administration of DSS led to an increase in IL-18, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma protein as well as IP-10 and TNF-alpha mRNA. The increase in IL-18 and IFN-gamma was reduced by ICE inhibition. Pralnacasan prevented DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. In C57BL/6 mice, the DSS-induced increase in IP-10 mRNA, but not TNF-alpha mRNA, was completely prevented by ICE inhibition. In conclusion, prevention of colitis in C57BL/6 mice was associated with a suppresion of IP-10 mRNA, but not TNF-alpha mRNA expression, indicating that IL-18-mediated cytokine production is a key element in the pathogenesis of DSS-induced colitis.
authors: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Bauer
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Loher
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Dauer
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Mayer
authors: Hans Anton
authors: HA
authors: Lehr
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schönharting
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Hallwachs
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Endres
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Eigler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000378:metabolism*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001381:Azepines; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; C491768:Ccl2 protein, mouse; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; C475895:Cxcl1 protein, mouse; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007546:Isoquinolines; D011724:Pyridazines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D020170:Caspase 1; C476331:pralnacasan