Effect of CCK-8 on signal mechanisms of IL-12 secretion in LPS-induced mice

AIM:To study the effects of CCK-8 on IL-12 secretion in LPS-induced mice and to investigate the signal transduction mechanisms involving NF-κB and p38 MAPK. METHODS:Female BALB/c mice were induced by LPS in the presence or absence of CCK-8, CCK-A or B receptor antagonist. The productions of IL-12p40 and p70 in the sera, lung and spleen tissues were evaluated by ELISA. Changes of pIκB, p-p38 protein expression and the NF-κB/DNA binding activity were examined by Western blotting and EMSA, respectively. RESULTS:CCK-8 increased the expressions of IL-12p40, p70 in the serum, lung and spleen tissues of LPS-induced mice, inhibited IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB/DNA binding activity, increased p38 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION:CCK-8 increases the production of IL-12 in LPS-induced mice probably via activating p38 MAPK. NF-κB might not mediate the activating effect of CCK-8 on IL-12 production.