Effects of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β on Proliferation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells in Vitro

Abstract

Previous reports suggest that cytokines may be involved in proliferation of the epithelium. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cytokines, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β on proliferation of human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) in vitro. Primary cells were cultured from HNECs on collagen gel matrix. Subcultured HNECs were incubated in a medium with recombinant human (rh) cytokines, rhIL-1β, rhTNF-a, and rhTGF-β at different concentrations of 0.01 ng/mL, 0.1 ng/mL, 1 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, and 100 ng/mL. After 2-day incubation with these cytokines, daily cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay for 6 days. While rhIL-1β inhibited proliferation of HNECs in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners, rhTNF-a stimulated HNEC growth at concentrations ranging from 0.01 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. In contrast, rhTGF-b inhibited HNEC growth irrespective of concentration and incubation time. This study suggests that IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β may have an important role in the repair of the nasal mucosa by regulating proliferation of the nasal epithelium.