Interleukin-1 induces a nuclear form of transcription factor NF kappa B in human lung epithelial cells

Activation of the transcription factor NF kappa B by the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been investigated in the human lung epithelial cell line (A549). Nuclear NF kappa B activity was not detectable in unstimulated A549 cells, but was rapidly (within 15 min) and potently (100 fM to 1 pM) induced in the presence of IL-1. Activation of NF kappa B by IL-1 (1 pM) was prevented when incubations were performed in the presence of the IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (1 nM). However, a number of protein kinase inhibitors failed to block this response. The results suggest that a novel kinase pathway may be involved in the activation of NF kappa B by IL-1 in these cells.