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Ethanol and murine interleukin (IL)-12 production
C M Mason1, E Dobard, J K Kolls
1Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 70112, USA. cmason1@lsumc.edu
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|May 8, 2000
Summary
Ethanol exposure suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced Interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in mice. This effect is linked to increased Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reduced IL-12 mRNA, suggesting IL-10 mediates ethanol
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is crucial for combating bacterial and intracellular pathogens.
- IL-12 induction during infection aids in pathogen elimination.
- Ethanol's impact on IL-12 production and the role of IL-10 require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ethanol exposure on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-12 production in mice.
- To determine if ethanol-induced increases in Interleukin-10 (IL-10) mediate changes in IL-12 production.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were pretreated with ethanol, then challenged with LPS (intravenously or intratracheally).
- Assayed blood and lung IL-12 (p70 and p40) and serum IL-10 levels.
- Quantified splenic and lung mRNA for IL-12 p35 and p40 components.
Main Results:
- Ethanol suppressed LPS-induced IL-12 p70 and p40 protein production in blood and lung.
- Ethanol upregulated IL-10 production.
- Neutralization of IL-10 partially restored IL-12 levels, indicating its mediating role.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol suppresses LPS-induced IL-12 production in murine blood and lung, affecting both p70 and p40 components.
- This suppression correlates with reduced IL-12 p40 mRNA in spleen and lung.
- IL-10 plays a role in ethanol-induced suppression of IL-12.