Effects of antioxidant and NF-κB on the induction of IL-8 in human colon cancer cell line HT-29 cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the induction of IL-8 gene by TNF-α in colon cancer cells and the effect of antioxidant on the induction of IL-8. METHODS: ELISA was used to detect the concentrations of IL-8. IL-8 mRNA was analyzed by using RT-PCR. NF-κB in the cell nuclei was detected with electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: (1) IL-8 production and IL-8 mRNA expression induced by TNF-α was blocked by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). (2) TNF-α triggered the activation and translocation of NF-κB and PDTC inhibited the activation of NF-κB induced by TNF-α. CONCLUSION: The induction of IL-8 gene and protein by TNF-α is dependent on the activation of NF-κB. Antioxidants may inhibit the induction of IL-8 gene and protein through inhibiting NF-κB activation.