BACKGROUND

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) pathways are involved in organ inflammation. In the pancreas, however, the STAT3 and SOCS3 response to inflammatory stimuli is unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that mRNA expression for these signaling proteins would be induced in response to pro-inflammatory mediators TNFalpha and LPS. Because activation of STAT3 and SOCS3 is also linked to cytokine stimulation, we tested TNFalpha and LPS, either alone or in combination with IL-1beta or IL-6 in an in vitro model using rat pancreatic acinar cells.

METHODS

Rat pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) were treated with combinations of LPS (10 microg/ml) or TNFalpha (10, 100, or 200 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of IL-1beta or IL-6 for 15, 30, 45, 60, 180, or 360 min. At each time point, total RNA was purified and analyzed via RT-PCR for STAT3 and SOCS3 mRNA expression.

RESULTS

LPS and TNFalpha activated STAT3 and SOCS3 in pancreatic acinar cells. STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly (P < 0.01) increased above controls without further stimulation by IL-6 or IL1-beta. Significant increases in SOCS3 expression were observed with LPS + IL-6 at 30, 45, 60, 180, min (P < 0.05). SOCS3 mRNA expression with LPS + IL-1beta treatment was maximal by 1 h (P < 0.05). Enhanced STAT3 expression was evident by 3 h with TNFalpha alone (P < 0.01). The addition of cytokines kept STAT3 mRNA levels high. At 200 ng/ml TNFalpha, SOCS3 mRNA levels were increased, but significantly reduced in the presence of IL-1beta or IL-6 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that LPS and TNFalpha are potent mediators of STAT3 and SOCS3 expression in the pancreas and that the cytokines IL-6 and IL-1beta are indirectly involved in the signaling pathway. Alteration of the STAT pathway should be explored as a therapeutic target for treatment of pancreatic inflammation.