IL-15 up-regulates iNOS expression and NO production by gingival epithelial cells

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 297; no. 2; pp. 329 - 334
• Main Authors: Yanagita, Manabu, Shimabukuro, Yoshio, Nozaki, Takenori, Yoshimura, Naoko, Watanabe, Junko, Koide, Hiroko, Terakura, Mami, Saho, Teruyuki, Takedachi, Masahide, Jang, Myoung-Ho, Kiyono, Hiroshi, Murakami, Shinya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 20.09.2002
• Subjects: Cell Separation; Cells, Cultured; Cytochalasin D - pharmacology; Enzyme Induction; Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Epithelial Cells - cytology; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Flow Cytometry; Gingiva - cytology; Gingiva - metabolism; Gingival epithelial cells; Humans; iNOS; Interleukin 15; Interleukin-15 - genetics; Interleukin-15 - metabolism; Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase - antagonists & inhibitors; Nitric Oxide Synthase - genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors - pharmacology; Periodontal diseases; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Up-Regulation; Periodontal diseases; NO; iNOS; Interleukin 15; Gingival epithelial cells
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-291X(02)02201-5

To investigate the biological activity of epithelial cells in view of host defense, we analyzed the mRNA expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) as well as NO production by human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) stimulated with IL-15. RT-PCR analysis revealed that HGEC expressed IL-15 receptor α-chain mRNA. In addition, stimulation with IL-15 enhanced iNOS expression by HGEC through an increase of both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, IL-15 up-regulated the production of NO 2 −/NO 3 −, a NO-derived stable end product, from HGEC. The enhanced NO production by IL-15 was inhibited by AMT, an iNOS-specific inhibitor. These results suggest that IL-15 is a potent regulator of iNOS expression by HGEC and involved in innate immunity in the mucosal epithelium.