Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced cytokine production and otitis media with effusion (OME) in the rat middle ear
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Published on: February 22, 2017
Manabu Ogura1, Masayuki Furukawa, Naoki Tada
1Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, 2-3-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan.
Objectives:
We examined the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on IL-8 production in cultured rat middle ear epithelial cells (RMECs), and the concentrations of cytokine, PAF, and PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) were also examined in the PAF-induced experimental OME (otitis media with effusion) of rats.
Methods:
Using an enzyme-linked immunospecific assay, we measured the levels of cytokines in the cultured RMECs and the PAF-induced OME of rats. The PAF was quantitated by the platelet-aggregating activity and the PAF-AH was measured by radioimmunoassay.
Results:
Both PAF and C-PAF, which is a stable analogue of PAF, significantly induced production of IL-8 in the RMECs in a dose-dependent manner. The PAF-induced IL-8 production was abolished by co-incubation with WEB2170, a specific PAF receptor antagonist. The concentrations of the cytokines and PAF in the PAF-induced OME of rats were higher on day 1 and the PAF and cytokine levels seemed to correspond well with the persistence of OME.
Conclusion:
PAF may stimulate the local production of cytokines and may induce OME in the middle ear.
Insights
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) significantly increases interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in rat middle ear cells and may induce otitis media with effusion (OME). PAF levels correlate with OME persistence.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common condition.
- The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in OME pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of PAF on interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in rat middle ear epithelial cells (RMECs).
- To measure cytokine, PAF, and PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) concentrations in a rat model of PAF-induced OME.
Main Methods:
- Cytokine levels in cultured RMECs and rat OME were measured using enzyme-linked immunospecific assays.
- PAF was quantified by platelet-aggregating activity, and PAF-AH by radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- PAF and its analogue C-PAF dose-dependently induced IL-8 production in RMECs.
- This induction was blocked by a specific PAF receptor antagonist (WEB2170).
- Elevated cytokine and PAF levels were observed in PAF-induced OME, correlating with disease persistence.
Conclusions:
- PAF stimulates local cytokine production in the middle ear.
- PAF may play a role in inducing OME.
