IL-6 knockout mice are protected from cocaine-induced kindling behaviors; possible involvement of JAK2/STAT3 and PACAP signalings

Huynh Nhu Mai, Yoon Hee Chung, Eun Joo Shin, Naveen Sharma, Ji Hoon Jeong, Choon Gon Jang, Kuniaki Saito, Toshitaka Nabeshima, Dora Reglodi, Hyoung Chun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

IL-6 has been recognized as an anticonvulsant against certain neuroexcitotoxicities. We aimed to investigate on the interactive role between IL-6 and PACAP in cocaine-induced kindling behaviors. Although we found that cocaine (45 mg/kg, i.p./day x 5) significantly increased IL-6 and TNF-α expression, it resulted in a decrease in IFN-γ expression. We observed that the cocaine-induced increase in IL-6 expression was more pronounced than that in TNF-α expression. Genetic depletion of IL-6 significantly activated cocaine kindling behaviors. This phenomenon was also consistently observed in WT mice that received a neutralizing IL-6 receptor antibody. Cocaine-treated IL-6 knockout mice exhibited significantly decreased PACAP and PACAP receptor (PAC1R) mRNA levels and significantly increased TNF-α gene expression. TNF-α knockout mice were protected from cocaine kindling via an up-regulation of IL-6, phospho-JAK2/STAT3, PACAP, and PAC1R levels, which produced anti-apoptotic effects. Recombinant IL-6 protein (rIL-6, 2 μg, i.v./mouse/day x 5) also up-regulated phospho-JAK2/STAT3, PACAP, and PAC1R mRNA levels, leading to anti-apoptotic effects in IL-6 knockout mice. Consistently, AG490, a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor, and PACAP 6–38, a PAC1 receptor antagonist, counteracted rIL-6-mediated protection. Combined, our results suggest that IL-6 gene requires up-regulation of phospho-JAK2/STAT3, PACAP, and PAC1R and down-regulation of the TNF-α gene to modulate its anticonvulsive/neuroprotective potential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249-263
Number of pages15
JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology
Volume116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-06-2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology

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