The influence of IL-18 on pancreatic stellate cells and CX3CL1 expression

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of IL-18 on the expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA and CX3CL1 in pancreatic stellate cells(PSCs). Methods The human PSC line HPaSteC was routinely cultured and passaged. Five, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L IL-18 was used to treat PSCs for 72 h and the untreated PSCs were used as control. Treated and untreated cells were both collected, and RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA and CX3CL1 respectively. Results The mRNA expressions of E-cadherin in control group and 5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L IL-18 treated group were 1.03±0.17, 0.77±0.15, 0.89±0.12, 0.54±0.11 and 0.46±0.06. The mRNA expression of α-SMA were 1.03±0.19, 0.85±0.14, 1.33±0.22, 1.60±0.14 and 1.94±0.09; The mRNA expression of CX3CL1 were 1.01±0.08, 0.88±0.25, 0.86±0.17, 1.58±0.26 and 1.83±0.13. The mRNA expression of E-cadherin in IL-18 treated group were down-regulated , while the mRNA expression of α-SMA and CX3CL1 were up-regulated, and the differences between control and IL-18 100 μg/L treated group were statistically significant (P<0.05 or <0.01). The protein expression of E-cadherin in control group and 5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L IL-18 treated group were 1.00±0.14, 1.14±0.04, 1.14±0.07, 0.85±0.08 and 0.80±0.06. The protein expression of α-SMA were 1.00±0.02, 0.77±0.07, 1.29±0.02, 1.59±0.07 and 1.70±0.02; The protein expression of CX3CL1 were 1.00±0.05, 1.03±0.05, 1.37±0.06, 1.46±0.18 and 1.45±0.12. The protein expression of E-cadherin was down-regulated but no significant differences were observed among different groups. The protein expression of α-SMA was up-regulated and the differences between control group and 25, 50 and 100 μg/L IL-18 treated groups were statistically significant (all P<0.01). The protein expression of CX3CL1 was up-regulated and the differences between control group and 100 ng/ml IL-18 treated group were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions IL-18 can activate PSCs and up-regulate the expression of chemokine CX3CL1. Key words: Pancreas; Astrocytes; Panceatitis, chronic; Chemokine CX3CL1; Interleukin-18