Interleukin-1α Induction in Human Keratinocytes (HaCaT): An In Vitro Model for Chemoprevention in Skin

• Main Authors: T. Magcwebeba, S. Riedel, S. Swanevelder, P. Bouic, P. Swart, W. Gelderblom
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
• Series: Journal of Skin Cancer
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/393681
• ISSN: 2090-2905; 2090-2913

Long-term exposure to UV irradiation and toxic chemicals is associated with chronic inflammation that contributes to skin cancer development with interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), constitutively produced by keratinocytes, playing a pivotal role in skin inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of IL-1α production in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate failed to induce IL-1α in HaCaT cells, and this might be associated with the specific deficiency known to affect downstream signalling of the MEK/ERK pathway in these cells. The calcium ionophore, ionomycin, slightly enhanced the production of intracellular (icIL-1α), but this resulted in a necrotic release at higher concentrations. UV-B exposure significantly increased the production of icIL-1α in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal induction exhibited at 24 h with minimal necrotic and apoptotic effects. Validation of the HaCaT cell model indicated that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen, and the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, inhibited icIL-1α production, and this was associated with a slight inhibition of cell viability. The UV-B-induced keratinocyte cell model provides an in vitro system that could, apart from phorbol ester-like compounds, be utilised as a screening assay in identifying skin irritants and/or therapeutic topical agents via the modulation of IL-1α production.