Cytokine regulation of mucin secretion in a human middle ear epithelial model.

Objectives: Middle ear mucins are associated with otitis media (OM), contribute to hearing loss and are regulated by cytokines. This work investigates the regulation of mucin secretion from human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEEC) by inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cytokine inhibitors interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody (TNFab).

Methods: HMEEC were exposed to IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in a dose- and time-dependent manner.