Ozone-induced il-8 expression and transcription factor binding in
respiratory epithelial cells.
Jaspers, I., E. Flescher, L. C. Chen.
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical
Center, Tuxedo, NY 10987
APStracts 3:0229L, 1996.
Ozone, one of the most reactive oxidant gases to which humans are
routinely exposed, induces inflammation in the lower airways. The
airway epithelium is one of the first targets inhaled ozone will
encounter, but its role in airway inflammation is not well
understood. Expression of inducible genes involved in the
inflammatory response, such as interleukin 8 (IL-8), is controlled by
transcription factors. Expression of the IL-8 gene is regulated by
the transcription factors NF-kB, NF-IL6, and possibly AP-1. Type-II
-like epithelial cells (A549) were grown on a collagen-coated membrane
and exposed in vitro to 0.1 ppm ozone or air. Exposure to ozone
induced DNA-binding activity of NF-kB, NF-IL6, and AP-1. IL-8 mRNA
and IL-8 protein levels were also increased after ozone-exposure.
These results link ozone-induced DNA-binding activity of
transcription factors and the production of IL-8 by epithelial cells,
thus demonstrating a potential cellular cascade resulting in the
recruitment of inflammatory cells into the airway lumen.
Received 24 May 1996; accepted in final form 29 October 1996.
APS Manuscript Number L151-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Lung Cell. Mol.
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 31 December 1996