[The effect of retinoic acid on C3 and factor B secretion of human alveolar type II epithelial cells induced with cytokines].

Aim: To explore the effect of retinoic acid (RA)on C3 and factor B (Bf) secretion by human alveolar type II epithelial cell line A549 induced with cytokines.

Methods: The levels of C3 and Bf in culture supernatant of A549 cells induced with cytokines were detected by ELISA. The expression of C3 and Bf mRNAs was analyzed by RT-PCR.

Results: TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IFN-gamma could induce the secretion of C3 and Bf of A549 cells. RA alone had no effect on secretion of C3 and Bf of A549 cells but could notably enhance the secretion of C3 and Bf of A549 cells induced by the cytokines.

Conclusion: RA can up-regulate the expression of C3 and Bf of A549 cells induced with TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IFN-gamma, and regulate the immunological defence of local lung tissue, which provides a theoretical basis for prevention and treatment of pulmonary diseases by using RA and cytokines.