Abstract

The stable differentiated human colonic epithelial cell line, HT29-C1.16E, was used to study the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on mucin exocytosis. The main findings include: (a) IL-1 stimulated a rapid release of mucin from filter grown HT29-C1.16E cells, this effect being dose related; (b) this secretory effect was abolished in the presence of the blocking monoclonal antibody M4 specific for IL-1 receptors type I, showing that IL-1 receptors type I mediated IL-1 action; (c) experiments based on chamber cultures showed that these receptors were located on the basolateral membranes of HT29-C1.16E cells; (d) finally, mRNA for IL-1 receptors type I were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in these cells. To extend these findings to the in vivo situation, the rapid stimulatory effect of IL-1 on mucin exocytosis may contribute to the wash out of noxious agents during mucosal inflammation.