BACKGROUND: The expression of BRG1 associated factors (BAF) 155 and BAF 170 in response to IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha was studied in astrocytoma cell lines and primary astrocytes. BAFs are complexed with BRG1 and are also associated with activated glucocorticoid for glucocorticoid trans-activation. METHODS: IFN-gamma was pretreated for 18 hrs and cells were incubated with IL-1 or TNF-alpha for 72 hrs or 96 hrs with different concentrations of steroid. Cell death was measured by LDH assay. BAF expression was assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: IFN-gamma increased cell death by dexamethasone in LN215 cells but not in LN319 cells. The IFN-gamma increased the expression of BAF 155 and BAF 170 in adult astrocytes and LN215 cells, but IFN-gamma decreased the expression of BAF 155/170 in LN319 cells. The effect of IFN-gamma on the expression of BAF was not as clear in fetal astrocytes as it was in adult astrocytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest cytokines produced during immune reaction or immunotherapy may modulate steroid susceptibility of astrocytes and astrocytoma cells by influencing the expression of BAFs.
Adult ; Astrocytes* ; Astrocytoma ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Cytokines ; Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Interleukin-1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) expressions were studied in primary human brain astrocytes in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. When astrocytes were treated with IL-1beta TNF-alphaor IFN-gamma TRAIL was induced in cultured fetal astrocytes. In particular, IFN-gammainduced the highest levels of TRAIL in cultured astrocytes. When astrocytes were pre-reated with IFN-gamma they induced apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive Peer cells. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma modulates the expression of TRAIL in astrocytes, which may enhance cytotoxic sensitivity of infiltrating immune cells or brain cells other than astrocytes during inflammation of brain.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Interferon Type II/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Cells, Cultured ; Astrocytes/*cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects/physiology ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology

TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) expressions were studied in primary human brain astrocytes in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. When astrocytes were treated with IL-1beta TNF-alphaor IFN-gamma TRAIL was induced in cultured fetal astrocytes. In particular, IFN-gammainduced the highest levels of TRAIL in cultured astrocytes. When astrocytes were pre-reated with IFN-gamma they induced apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive Peer cells. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma modulates the expression of TRAIL in astrocytes, which may enhance cytotoxic sensitivity of infiltrating immune cells or brain cells other than astrocytes during inflammation of brain.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics/*metabolism ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Interferon Type II/*pharmacology ; Humans ; Cells, Cultured ; Astrocytes/*cytology/drug effects/metabolism ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects/physiology ; Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology

Since CKD-712 has been developed as an anti-inflammatory agent, we examined the effect of CKD-712 during TLR4 signaling. Using HEK293 cells expressing TLR4, CKD-712 was pre-treated 1 hr before LPS stimulation. Activation of NF-kappaB was assessed by promoter assay. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38, IRF3 and Akt was measured by western blotting. CKD-712 inhibited the NF-kappaB signaling triggered by LPS. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38 or IRF3 was not inhibited by CKD-712. On the contrary the activation of these molecules was augmented slightly. The activation of Akt with stimulation of LPS was also enhanced with CKD-712 pre-treatment at lower concentration, but was inhibited at higher concentration. We suggest that during TLR4 signaling CKD-712 inhibits NF-kappaB activation. However, CKD-712 augmented the activation of Akt as well as Map kinases. Therefore, we suggest that CKD-712 might have a role as an immunomodulator.
Blotting, Western ; HEK293 Cells ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphotransferases ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines