Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

NF-κB-dependent Luciferase Activation and Quantification of Gene Expression in Salmonella Infected Tissue Culture Cells
Published on: January 12, 2020
Ghrelin promotes nuclear factor kappa-B activation in a human B-lymphocyte cell line
E Z H Sung1, N F Da Silva, S J Goodyear
1Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Coventry, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
Octanoyl ghrelin, a gastric hormone, activates NFκB (nuclear factor kappa B) in human B-lymphocytes, suggesting a role in modulating inflammation. This study found increased NFκB activity with octanoyl ghrelin treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ghrelin, a gastric hormone, stimulates growth hormone secretion and may influence inflammatory pathways.
- Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a key transcriptional factor regulating inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ghrelin on NFκB activation in a human B-lymphocyte cell line (WILCL).
- To determine if ghrelin modulates inflammatory markers in B-lymphocytes.
Main Methods:
- Human B-lymphocytes (WILCL) were treated with octanoyl ghrelin, desoctanoyl ghrelin, and a ghrelin agonist.
- NFκB activation was assessed using a Trans AM NFκB p65 assay.
- Cytokine production (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, TNFα) was measured using Lincoplex assays.
Main Results:
- Octanoyl ghrelin significantly increased NFκB activation in resting B-lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner (up to 50% increase).
- Desoctanoyl ghrelin and the ghrelin agonist did not affect NFκB activation.
- No significant changes in measured cytokine levels were observed.
Conclusions:
- Octanoyl ghrelin enhances NFκB activation in human B-lymphocytes.
- These findings suggest that ghrelin may play a role in regulating inflammatory processes within the immune system.
Related Concept Videos
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Co-activators and Co-repressors
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
NF-kB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...

