[6]-Gingerol suppresses interleukin-1 beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
[6]-Gingerol is a major active component of ginger and a natural polyphenol compound. The present study investigated whether [6]-gingerol suppresses interleukin (IL)-1 beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells and, if so, examined whether the suppression of MUC5AC gene expression is mediated via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway.


METHODS
MUC5AC mRNA and protein were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis in cultured NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK protein levels were analyzed by Western blot.


RESULTS
Expression of MUC5AC mRNA increased in NCI-H292 cells upon treatment with 10 ng/mL of IL-1 beta for 24 hours. When the cells were pretreated with 10 microM of [6]-gingerol, expression of IL-1 beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA and protein was significantly suppressed. Suppression of IL-1 beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA was also observed in cells pretreated with ERK- or p38 MAPK-specific inhibitors, suggesting that [6]-gingerol-mediated suppression of IL-1 beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA operated via the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways.


CONCLUSIONS
[6]-Gingerol suppresses IL-1 beta -induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells via the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways; therefore, [6]-gingerol may be considered a possible anti-hypersecretory agent.
Kim
Jeong Hong
JH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cheju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
Chang
Jung Hyun
JH
Yoon
Joo-Heon
JH
Kwon
Soon Ho
SH
Bae
Jung Ho
JH
Kim
Kyung-Su
KS
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000494:pharmacology; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000494:pharmacology
D002396:Catechols; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C007845:gingerol; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases