title: Intravenous immunoglobulin prevents release of proinflammatory cytokines in human monocytic cells stimulated with procalcitonin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether the stimulation of monocytic cells with procalcitonin (PCT) results in the release of proinflammatory cytokines. The effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on the production of cytokines from the cells stimulated with PCT were also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured monocytic cells [THP-1 cells treated with phorbol myristate acetate or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)] were stimulated with PCT. The protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and high mobility group box-1] in the culture supernatants were determined by ELISA kits. The concentration of PCT-specific IgG antibody in IVIG was measured using a specific ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCT induced the release of cytokines from THP-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. IVIG inhibited the release of cytokines from the cells stimulated with PCT. It was confirmed that IVIG also inhibited TNF-α release in the same dose range for PBMCs stimulated with PCT. The presence of PCT-specific IgG antibody was detected in the tested IVIG, which might be one of the mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCT induced the release of proinflammatory cytokines from THP-1 cells and PBMCs. The function of PCT was prevented by the presence of IVIG.
authors.affiliation: Research and Developmental Division, Benesis Corporation, 3-16-89, Kashima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 532-8505, Japan. Murakami.Kazuki@me.mt-pharma.co.jp
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Teruaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide