Protein kinase c-dependent pathway is critical for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6).

The authors hypothesized that certain PKC isoforms play an important role in the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) synthesis. To test this hypothesis, the cytosol-to-membrane translocation of select PKC isoforms with tested cytokine production in human monocytes cultured in vitro was correlated. It is reported that in monocytes treated with phorbol ester (PMA), translocation of PKC isoforms alpha, betaII, delta and epsilon precede cytokine synthesis. Moreover, specific inhibition of PKC translocation that occurs in the presence of Calphostin C is reflected in downstream events: lack of MAP kinases phosphorylation, loss of DNA binding ability by AP-1 transcription factor, and the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Thus, the cytosol-to-membrane translocation of PKC isoforms alpha, betaII, delta and epsilon with the subsequent activation of: (1) MAP kinases; and (2) AP-1 transcription factor, may represent critical steps in the induction of signalling cascade leading to TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 synthesis in human monocytes. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.