Functional impairment of rat enterochromaffin-like cells by interleukin 1 beta.

Histamine-producing enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play an integrative role in the regulation of acid secretion. Decreased mucosal histamine concentrations and increased levels of interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 have been detected in the gastric mucosa inflamed with Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of isolated ECL cells to these cytokines. Enriched rat gastric ECL cells (85%-95%) were cultured for 2-4 days. Polymerase chain reaction showed IL-1 and IL-6, but not IL-8 receptors, in ECL cell complementary DNA. Positive receptor staining with biotinylated IL-1 beta corresponded to ECL cell enrichment (92%). IL-6 and IL-8 had no effect on histamine secretion. IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) stimulated basal histamine secretion and nitric oxide production within 60 minutes and cyclic guanosine monophosphate production within 20 minutes. Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) attenuated gastrin-stimulated histamine secretion by 40%-50%, reversed by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (10 U/ mL). Pretreatment for 20 minutes with IL-1 beta (2 U/mL) completely inhibited gastrin-stimulated (1 nmol/L) histidine decarboxylase activity. IL-1 beta (2 U/mL, 60 minutes) increased lactate dehydrogenase release to 25% of cell content. Cells pretreated with IL-1 beta did not respond to gastrin after a further 48-hour culture and showed decreased histamine content. ECL cells appear to express IL-1 receptors. IL-1 beta causes sustained functional impairment of ECL cells in vitro.