Quantitative evaluation of transcriptional activation of NF-κB p65 and p50 subunits and IκBα encoding genes in colon cancer cells by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans endotoxin.

Quantification of p65, p50 and IκBα mRNAs was performed by real time QRT-PCR in Caco-2 cells treated with 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans LPS for 1, 6, 12, and 24 h. A strong increase in expression of p65 and IλBα genes was induced by 10 and 100 μg/mL of LPS at 1 h; after 6 h higher transcript amounts of both genes were observed at 100 μg/mL LPS. The p65 expression level was significantly increased by 50 and 100 μg/mL at 12 h and lowered by all LPS doses at 24 h. No significant differences between IκBα mRNA quantity in cells exposed to LPS at 12 and 24 h were observed. No changes in expression of p50 mRNA were induced by LPS. The expression of p65 gene positively correlated with IκBα gene expression. D. desulfuricans LPS is capable of modulating transcriptional activity of p65 and IκBα genes in intestinal epithelial cells.