Functional impairment of rat enterochromaffin-like cells by interleukin 1 beta

Background & Aims: Histamine-producing enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play an integrative role in the regulation of acid secretion, Decreased mucosal histamine concentrations and increased levels of interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 have been detected in the gastric mucosa inflamed with Helicobacter pylori, The aim of this study was to investigate the response of isolated ECL cells to these cytokines, Methods: Enriched vat gastric ECL cells (85%-95%) were cultured for 2-4 days, Results: Polymerase chain reaction showed IL-1 and IL-6, but not IL-8 receptors, in ECL cell complementary DNA, Positive receptor staining with biotinylated IL-1 beta corresponded to ECL cell enrichment (92%), IL-6 and IL-8 had no effect on histamine secretion, IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) stimulated basal histamine secretion and nitric oxide production within 60 minutes and cyclic guanosine monophosphate production within 20 minutes. Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) attenuated gastrin-stimulated histamine secretion by 40%-50%, reversed by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (10 U/mL). Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) completely inhibited gastrin-stimulated (1 nmol/L) histidine decarboxylase activity, IL-1 beta (2 U/mL, 60 minutes) increased lactate dehydrogenase release to 25% of cell content, Cells pretreated with IL-1 beta did not respond to gastrin after a further 48-hour culture and showed decreased histamine content, Conclusions: ECL cells appear to express IL-1 receptors, IL-1 beta causes sustained functional impairment of ECL cells in vitro.