Regulation of induction of nitric oxide synthase and the inhibitory actions of dexamethasone in the human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2: influence of cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: 1. The inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Using the human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2, iNOS expression, regulation and sensitivity to the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone after cytokine exposure and its relationship to the degree of differentiation has been studied. 2. NOS activity, assessed by NO2- and NO3- release, was time-dependently increased after exposure to interferon gamma alone or in combination with interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha. 3. Cytokine-induced iNOS activity was increased with days in culture over 20 days and number of passages, suggesting iNOS up-regulation during enterocyte-like differentiation. This activity was inhibited by the selective iNOS inhibitor 1400 W

SUBMITTER: Cavicchi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1571669 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature