Effects of human cytomegalovirus infection in THP-1 derived macrophages on the expression of IL-1β

Abstract

Objective To observe the changes in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β over time in THP-1 derived macrophages after human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Methods The model of HCMV infection in THP-1 derived macrophages was constructed, then HCMV infected group, the mock-infected control group, LPS + ATP group and poly (dA : dT) control group were established. ELISA analysis was performed to measure the levels of IL-1β in culture supernatant of THP-1 derived macrophages at 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after infected with HCMV. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to measure the expression levels of IL-1β gene and protein, respectively. Results The gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β in HCMV infected group is 7.77 times to the mock-infected control group at 6 hours after HCMV infected THP-1 derived macrophages. IL-1β in supernatant of THP-1-derived macrophages increased significantly at 1 hour after HCMV infection, was continuously rising at 3 hours and 6 hours subsequently, and reached at peak at 12 hours and maintained till 48 hours. The protein expression of IL-1β in HCMV infected group was significantly higher than the mock-infected control group and poly (dA : dT) control group at 6 hours after HCMV infected THP-1 derived macrophages, while no significant difference between the LPS + ATP control group. Conclusions The expression of IL-1β is induced by HCMV infected THP-1 derived macrophages, and continue to increase over time. Key words: Human cytomegalovirus; THP-1 derived macrophages; Interleukine-1 beta