Allyl isothiocyanate regulates caspase-1/receptor interacting protein-2 expression

Isothiocyanates can inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. Interleukin (IL)-1β activates the NF-kappaB, which in turn activates proteins involved in inflammation. IL-1β is directly associated with caspase-1 activation. We tested the anti-inflammatory effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in mast cells. AITC suppressed the intracellular calcium level in the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated human mast cell line. AITC decreased PMA plus A23187-induced cystein-aspartic acid protease (caspase)-1 activity. Particularly, AITC decreased PMA plus A23187-induced caspase-1/receptor interacting protein-2 expression as well as the mRNA expression and production of IL-1β. An in-depth research of the cellular targets of the AITC is warranted.