Interferon alpha induction of metallothionein in rat liver is not linked to interleukin-1, interleukin-6, or tumor necrosis factor alpha

Synthesis of metallothionein (MT) is induced by interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in vitro and in vivo. In addition, IFN-α promotes redistribution of zinc (Zn) from the plasma to the liver in mice. However, it is not clear if IFN-α induces hepatic MT synthesis directly or indirectly via liberation of other cytokines. In order to address this issue, we determined hepatic MT levels, Zn concentration in plasma, liver, and urine, and plasma levels interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in rats following intramuscular injection of human IFN-α (1.5 × 106 UI/m2). Animals were housed in metabolic cages and sacrificed at various times after IFN-α administration. Zn concentrations in serum, urine, and hepatic tissue were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. MT protein was measured using the MT silver saturation method and expression of MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. Plasma levels of rat IL-1, IL-6, and TNFα were determined using an ELISA method. Hepatic MT levels began to increase at 2 h following IFN-α administration and reached maximum levels at 12 h post-treatment. Induction of MT gene expression was confirmed by increases in MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA levels 6, 12, and 18 h after IFN-α administration. IFN-α treatment also resulted in biphasic increases in hepatic Zn, with levels peaking at 2 h, the time-point when MT levels are first increased, and again at 18 h. Concurrently, there were decreases in serum Zn levels at these time points, suggesting IFN-α induced movement of Zn from the blood to hepatic tissue. The decrease in serum Zn was not due to increased excretion since urinary Zn levels were unaffected following IFN-α treatment. IFN-α administration had no effect on plasma IL-1, IL-6, and TNFα levels. These results show that IFN-α promotes the increase of hepatic MT levels and plasma/liver redistribution directly, without IL-1, IL-6, or TNFα participation.