Modulation of cytochrome P450 by inflammation in astrocytes

Activation of systemic host defense mechanisms results in the down-regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. This occurs for various induced and constitutive isoforms of cytochrome P450 in response to cytokines such as IFNs, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, which are produced during infection. Although the levels of cytochrome P450 in brain regions are low, the enzymes are regionally distributed and may play a critical role in the activation or degradation of drugs and chemicals in localized areas. If activation of the immune response in the CNS by LPS modulates the activity of cytochrome P450 forms in the brain, this may alter normal metabolic pathways or contribute to drug or chemical toxicity. This hypothesis was addressed by examining the effect of LPS on a major cytochrome P450 form in isolated astrocytes obtained from newborn rats. These cells were shown to express CYP1A1/2 when induced by dibenz[a, h]anthracene (DBA) as determined by enzyme activity, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The treatment of these cells with LPS significantly attenuated the activity of these enzymes but had no effect on CYP1A1/2 protein levels as determined by Western blotting. The lack of effect by detoxified LPS indicated the requirement of the lipid A region on LPS to stimulate this response. Pentoxifylline (PNTX) prevented the LPS evoked decrease in CYP1A1/2 activity suggesting that cytokine release was a required component of this effect in astrocytes. These results indicate that stimulation of the immune response by LPS in isolated astrocytes decreases CYP1A1/2 activity. The release of cytokines is implicated in this effect and thought to participate in the functional inhibition of the enzyme as no effect on CYP1A1/2 protein levels was observed.