Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α on Interleukin-8 Production in Human Gingival Epithelial Cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is an inflammatory mediator that is released during the early stages of the inflammatory response and plays an important role in the development of periodontitis. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is associated with the attraction and activation of neutrophils into the area of inflammation, which is considered an important factor in the regulation of inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the effect of TNF-α stimulation on IL-8 production in Ca9-22 cells, a human gingival epithelial cell line. Stimulation with TNF-α enhanced IL-8 production and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. U0126, a potent and selective MEK1/2 inhibitor, inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not p38. These findings suggest that the enhancement of IL-8 production by TNF-α-stimulated Ca9-22 may lead to the induction and activation of neutrophils into inflamed tissues and worsen periodontitis.