Interleukin-1 beta uses common and distinct signaling pathways for induction of the interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha genes in the human astrocytoma cell line U373.

Cytokines are involved in the etiology of different disorders of the CNS. For a better understanding of their pathogenic role, we analyzed signal transduction pathways mediating the interleukin (IL)-1 beta-induced synthesis of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the human astrocytoma cell line U373 MG. Both protein kinase C and reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) were involved in IL-6 and TNF alpha gene expression by IL-1 beta. In contrast, protein tyrosine kinases were only necessary for expression of the IL-6 gene. Whereas activation of protein kinase A was able to induce expression of the IL-6 gene, it did not induce TNF alpha gene expression and was not involved in IL-1 beta-induced IL-6 and TNF alpha gene expression. Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B by IL-1 beta involved ROIs, whereas the IL-1 beta-induced activation of the transcription factor AP-1 was mediated via protein kinase C. Our findings provide the basis for the development of specific drugs for the treatment of disorders of the CNS in which cytokines play a pathogenic role.