Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits the inflammatory effects of interleukin-1β in human corneal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND

Expression of various inflammatory mediators in corneal fibroblasts contributes to corneal inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the possible effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the expression of inflammatory mediators during an inflammatory response in human corneal fibroblasts.

METHODS

The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) from IL-1β-exposed human corneal fibroblasts were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The regulatory mechanisms of CAPE on cellular signaling pathways were examined using Western blot and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. A functional validation was carried out by evaluating the inhibitory effects of CAPE on neutrophil and monocyte migration in vitro.

RESULTS

CAPE inhibited the expression of IL-6, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 induced by the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in corneal fibroblasts. The activation of AKT and NF-κB by IL-1β was markedly inhibited by CAPE, whereas the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was not affected. CAPE significantly suppressed the IL-1β-induced migration of differentiated (d)HL-60 and THP-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These anti-inflammatory effects of CAPE may be expected to inhibit the infiltration of leukocytes into the corneal stroma in vivo.