Corticosteroids and beta2 agonists differentially regulate rhinovirus-induced interleukin-6 via distinct Cis-acting elements

J Biol Chem. 2007 May 25;282(21):15366-75. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M701325200. Epub 2007 Mar 29.

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine up-regulated by rhinovirus infection during acute exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The role of IL-6 during exacerbations is unclear; however, it is believed IL-6 could contribute to airway and systemic inflammation. In this study we investigate the effects of common asthma treatments fluticasone propionate and beta(2) agonists salmeterol and salbutamol on IL-6 production in BEAS-2B and primary bronchial epithelial cells. Salmeterol and salbutamol enhanced rhinovirus- and IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production; however, fluticasone treatment caused a reduction of IL-6 protein and mRNA. Combined activity of salmeterol and fluticasone at equimolar concentrations had no effect on rhinovirus or IL-1beta induction of IL-6. The induction of IL-6 by salmeterol was dependent upon the beta(2) receptor and could also be induced by cAMP or cAMP-elevating agents forskolin and rolipram. Using transfection of IL-6 promoter reporter constructs, dominant negative mutants, and electromobility shift assays, it was found that NF-kappaB was the only transcription factor required for rhinovirus induction of IL-6 gene expression. Salmeterol caused an augmentation of rhinovirus-induced promoter activation via a mechanism dependent upon the c/EBP and/or CRE (cyclic AMP response element) cis-acting sites. The suppressive effect of FP was dependent upon distinct glucocorticoid response element sequences proximal to the transcriptional start site within the IL-6 promoter. The data demonstrate that beta(2) agonists can augment IL-6 expression by other stimuli in an additive manner via cyclic AMP and that the negative effect of steroids is mediated by glucocorticoid response elements within the IL-6 promoter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / pharmacology
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Albuterol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Albuterol / pharmacology*
  • Albuterol / therapeutic use
  • Androstadienes / pharmacology*
  • Androstadienes / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Asthma / virology
  • Bronchi / metabolism
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Bronchi / virology
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Colforsin / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP / agonists
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Fluticasone
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Picornaviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Picornaviridae Infections / etiology
  • Picornaviridae Infections / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / pathology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / virology
  • Response Elements*
  • Rhinovirus* / metabolism
  • Rolipram / pharmacology
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Androstadienes
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Colforsin
  • Salmeterol Xinafoate
  • Fluticasone
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Rolipram
  • Albuterol