Expression of a dominant negative inhibitor of NF-κB protects MIN6 β-cells from cytokine-induced apoptosis

Background Islet graft injury by cytokines released from inflammatory cells (macrophages) that infiltrate the transplant site is an important mechanism of early islet transplant dysfunction, This detrimental "cytokine effect" is thought to be mediated by NF-kappaB-dependent up-regulation of iNOS gene expression and increased nitric oxide (NO) production by the islet. We attempted to make a beta -cell resistant to cytokine-induced apoptosis by transfecting the parent line with a dominant negative inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Methods. A flag-tagged I kappaB alphaM cDNA subcloned into an SFFV-neo vector was used to transfect parent beta -Cell line MIN6. MIN6 and the resultant mutant (2Bm) were cultured for 24 h in a cytokine mixture including IL-1 beta (50 units/mL), TNF-alpha (1000 units/mL), and IFN-gamma (750 units/mL) and cotreated with either the iNOS inhibitor L-NMMA (1 mM) or the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD (0.1 mM), NF-kappaB translocation was determined by gel shift. Nitrite production was determined by the Griess reaction. Apoptosis was determined by how cytometry. Results. When treated with cytokine 2Bm demonstrated significantly less NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, nitrite production, and apoptosis than parent MING. The rate of apoptosis in cytokine-treated 2Bm was a third less than that for cytokine-treated MIN6 and was similar to MING cotreated with L-MMMA. Z-VAD cotreatment completely eliminated apoptosis in both MING and 2Bm, Conclusions, Cytokine-induced cell death in the MIN6 beta -cell line involves mechanisms that are, in part, NF-kappaB and NO dependent. Inhibition of NF-kappaB and NO production by the dominant negative inhibitor of NF-kappaB is cytoprotective. This type of genetic modification may prove to be one avenue for improving efficacy of islet transplantation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.