Induction of Lithostathine/regmRNA Expression by Serum from Rats with Acute Pancreatitis and Cytokines in Pancreatic Acinar AR-42J Cells

During the acute phase of pancreatitis, expression of most pancreatic enzymes decreases, whereas mRNAs of pancreatitis associated protein and lithostathine/regincrease dramatically. In the present study we have investigated the effect of serum from rats with acute pancreatitis (SAP) and cytokines on the lithostathine/regmRNA expression in AR-42J cells. Lithostathine/regmRNA was strongly induced by SAP in a dose-dependent manner. Induction was abolished by preheating the SAP or by treating the cells with cycloheximide. Treatment with interleukins (IL) IL-1 or IL-6 or dexamethasone alone was ineffective. Combination of IL-1 with IL-6 was also ineffective. Combination of IL-6 with dexamethasone resulted in strong induction of the lithostathine/reggene, but the further addition of IL-1 to the mixture reduced induction. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) or interferon-γ (IFNγ) induced lithostathine/regmRNA expression. Combination of dexamethasone with TNFα or IFNγ showed an inhibitory effect on lithostathine/regmRNA expression. These findings suggest that expression of the lithostathine/regmRNA during acute pancreatitis could be mediated by specific combinations of cytokines and/or glucocorticoids.