Effect of pannexin-1 on the release of glutamate and cytokines in astrocytes

•U87 malignant glioma cells have no inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide.•Pannexin 1 contributes to the inflammatory reaction in U87 malignant glioma cells.•Pannexin 1 plays an important role in the release of glutamate in U87 malignant glioma cells.

We investigated the effect of pannexin-1 (PANX-1) on the release of glutamate and cytokines in U87 human malignant glioma (U87-MG) cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection and adenosine triphosphate/lipopolysaccharide treatment. PANX-1 is a new family member of the gap junction proteins, and is permeable to ions, metabolic molecules, second messengers, and neurotransmitters, among other factors. PANX-1 plays an important role in the regulation of cell inflammation. However, the relationship between PANX-1 and the secretion of glutamate, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in astrocytes is still poorly understood. We found that the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and glutamate were lower in PANX-1 siRNA transfected cells, while the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and glutamate were unaltered in cells without changes in the expression of PANX-1 protein. This provides further support for the hypothesis that PANX-1 plays an important role in the release of IL-6, IL-8 and glutamate in U87-MG cells.