Posttranscriptional down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta production in acute meningococcal infections

J Infect Dis. 1998 May;177(5):1401-5. doi: 10.1086/517824.

Abstract

The regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) production was studied in patients with meningococcal disease. Circulating TNF and IL-1beta normalized within 1 day. TNF mRNA and IL-1beta mRNA in white blood cells decreased over 3-4 days. During the acute stage, TNF and IL-1beta production in stimulated whole blood cultures was down-regulated. After 4-5 days, this production was restored. The down-regulation was unlikely to be caused by circulating IL-6 and IL-10, as these cytokines normalized within 2-3 days. TNF mRNA in stimulated cultures during the acute stage, with down-regulated production, did not differ from that at recovery, with restored production. In contrast, the down-regulated production of IL-1beta was associated with significantly lower IL-1beta mRNA levels. Thus, TNF and IL-1beta production are differentially regulated. Whereas TNF production is regulated posttranscriptionally, IL-1beta production is also regulated at the mRNA level.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-1 / blood
  • Leukocytes / immunology*
  • Meningococcal Infections / blood
  • Meningococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Meningococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / blood
  • Reference Values
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Interleukin-1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • beta 2-Microglobulin
  • Dexamethasone