3-Amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) attenuates LPS-induced IL-8 expression by decreasing mRNA stability in THP-1 cells

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs), such as Trp-P-1, PhIP, and IQ, are notorious food-born carcinogens. This study examined the inhibitory effects of HCAs on the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), which is an important chemokine for the initiation of innate immune responses that function by recruiting immune cells to inflamed sites. Among HCA types tested, only Trp-P-1 showed a robust inhibition of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-8 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in a human monocytic cell-line, THP-1. However, Trp-P-1 did not inhibit the DNA-binding abilities of the transcription factors NF-κB, AP-1, and NF-IL6, all of which are known to regulate IL-8 transcription. Meanwhile, treatment with actinomycin D facilitated the Trp-P-1-induced down-regulation of IL-8 expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, implying that the inhibition might be due to a decrease in the stability of IL-8 mRNA rather than an attenuation of IL-8 transcription. Furthermore, Trp-P-1 also inhibited phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, which is involved in the regulation of IL-8 mRNA stability. Exogenous addition of ionomycin rescued both the IL-8 protein levels and phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase inhibited by Trp-P-1. Collectively, these results suggest that Trp-P-1 suppresses LPS-induced IL-8 production in human monocytic cells through down-regulation of an intracellular calcium/p38 MAP kinase-dependent pathway, leading to the reduction of IL-8 mRNA stability.