Abstract.
Previous studies demonstrated that theophylline modulates NF-κB activation in mast cells and pulmonary epithelial cells. We examined whether or not this modulation of NF-κB activation by theophylline is due to inhibition of the degradation of the IκBα protein, which suppresses NF-κB activation. TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation in a human pulmonary epithelial cell line (A549) was evaluated by Western blotting and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay. Expression of the IκBα protein was evaluated by Western blotting. Western blotting of nuclear extracts of A549 cells demonstrated that theophylline suppresses NF-κB-p65 nuclear translocation. The CAT assay indicated that NF-κB-dependent reporter gene expression is inhibited in A549 cells pretreated with theophylline. Western blotting of cytoplasmic extracts of A549 cells revealed that this inhibition was linked to theophylline-induced protection of expression of the IκBα protein. Moreover, theophylline inhibited interleukin-6 production induced by TNF-α in A549 cells. These findings are consistent with the idea that theophylline suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-κB activation through protection of the IκBα protein.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ichiyama, T., Hasegawa, S., Matsubara, T. et al. Theophylline inhibits NF-κB activation and IκBα degradation in human pulmonary epithelial cells. Naunyn-Schmied Arch Pharmacol 364, 558–561 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-001-0494-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-001-0494-x