IL-1β induced RXRα overexpression through activation of NF-κB signaling in gastric carcinoma

BackgroundAbnormal expression of Retinoid X Receptor α (RXRα) seems to be a frequent incident in a variety of cancers. However, the expression pattern and the mechanisms in gastric carcinoma (GC) remain unclear.MethodsIn GC tissues and cell lines, the expression levels of RXRα mRNA and protein were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot, respectively; the localization of RXRα was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunocytochemistry (ICC). The effect of IL-1β on RXRα expression and localization was detected by Western blot and ICC. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was assessed via Western blot.ResultsRXRα expression was markedly elevated at both mRNA and protein levels in GC tissues and cell lines (all P < 0.05). The abnormal overexpression of RXRα was predominantly visualized in cytoplasm. IL-1β significantly induced cytoplasmic expression of RXRα in a time-dependent manner. Co-incubation with IL-1β enhanced phospho-IKKα (p-IKKα) expression and this effect could be inhibited by the specific inhibitor for NF-κB (all P < 0.01).ConclusionsIL-1β upregulated RXRα through activation of NF-κB signaling and these suggested a possible clinic significance of retinoid receptor expression in the diagnosis and treatment of GC.