Transmural pressure induces IL-6 secretion by intestinal epithelial cells.

Although intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are known as an important source for IL-6, it is not known whether mechanical forces affect IL-6 production. We investigated how transmural pressure modulates IL-6 synthesis and activation of transcription factors in IECs. Pressure was loaded onto IEC-18 cells by introducing compressed helium gas into the cell culture flask for 1-48 h.

Fatty acids enhance GRO/CINC-1 and interleukin-6 production in rat intestinal epithelial cells.

Intestinal mucosal immunity is modulated by cytokine release from intestinal cells, but little is known about the relation between nutrient absorption and cytokine release. In this study, we examined how exposure to fatty acids affects the production of growth-regulated oncogene/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (GRO/CINC-1) and interleukin (IL)-6 in rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). The long-chain fatty acids, oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acids, and the middle-chain fatty acid octanoic acid were administered to subconfluent cultures of IEC-6 cells alone, or in combination with IL-1beta and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.

Loading of mechanical pressure activates mitogen-activated protein kinase and early immediate gene in intestinal epithelial cells.

Intestinal mucosa is continuously exposed to mechanical forces. We examined whether pressure loading activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and expression of early immediate genes in intestinal epithelial cells. Pressure was applied to IEC18 cells by helium gas in a culture flask and pressure-induced cell proliferation was examined.

Induction of endothelin-1 synthesis by IL-2 and its modulation of rat intestinal epithelial cell growth.

Endothelin (ET), a vasoconstrictive peptide, is known to have a variety of biological actions. Although ET is released by vascular endothelial cells, other cell populations also have been reported to synthesize and release ET. In this study, we examined whether ET is synthesized by intestinal epithelial cells and whether it affects induction of epithelial cell proliferation by interleukin-2 (IL-2).

Endothelins promote egg albumin-induced intestinal anaphylaxis in rats.

Background & Aims: The basic mechanisms of food allergies are still unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate whether endothelins (ETs) in the intestinal mucosa are involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal anaphylaxis.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were sensitized to chicken egg albumin (EA) by intraperitoneal injection.