Inhibitory effect of recombinant intracellular interleukin 1 receptor antagonist on endothelial cell activation

R Bertini1, M Sironi, I Martin-Padura

  • 1Instituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy.

Cytokine
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Intracellular interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (icIL-1ra) blocks IL-1 effects on human endothelial cells, including IL-6/IL-8 production and adhesion molecule induction. However, icIL-1ra does not affect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation, suggesting distinct inflammatory pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key mediator in inflammatory responses.
  • Vascular cells play a crucial role in inflammation and immunity.
  • Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is known to inhibit IL-1 activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of intracellular IL-1ra (icIL-1ra) in modulating IL-1 actions on vascular cells.
  • To determine if icIL-1ra affects IL-1-induced inflammatory responses in human endothelial cells (HEC).
  • To explore the interaction between icIL-1ra, IL-1, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in endothelial cell activation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized recombinant icIL-1ra in experiments with human endothelial cells (HEC).
  • Assessed the impact of icIL-1ra on IL-1-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein.
  • Evaluated the effect of icIL-1ra on IL-1-induced expression of adhesion molecules in HEC.
  • Compared the effects of icIL-1ra on IL-1-stimulated versus LPS-stimulated HEC.
  • Analyzed IL-1ra mRNA transcripts in endothelial cells using northern blot analysis.

Main Results:

  • Recombinant icIL-1ra significantly inhibited IL-1-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein in HEC.
  • icIL-1ra also suppressed the induction of adhesion molecules on HEC by IL-1.
  • icIL-1ra did not interfere with the activation of HEC by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
  • Endothelial cells showed minimal IL-1ra mRNA expression under various stimulation conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Intracellular IL-1ra effectively blocks IL-1-mediated inflammatory signaling in vascular endothelial cells.
  • The lack of interference with LPS activation suggests that extracellular IL-1 is not a primary mediator in LPS-induced endothelial cell responses.
  • IL-1ra produced by mononuclear phagocytes may act as a critical regulator of IL-1's effects on endothelial cells, influencing vascular inflammation and immune responses.