Cytokine regulation of syndecan expression in cells of liver origin

Syndecan-1 and syndecan-2-two cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans-were described in normal human liver, Proteoglycans can modulate the effect of cytokines, and cytokines can influence the expression of proteoglycans, In the present work the regulatory effect of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1 on syndecan-1 and syndecan-2 expression of hepatocytes, hepatoma cell lines, liver and skin fibroblasts has been studied. All cytokines were able to influence the steady state level of syndecan-1 and syndecan-2 mRNA, Their action was target cell specific resulting in either up- or downregulation except TGF-beta1 that was stimulatory in all cell types examined. (C) 2000 Academic Press.