Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB in the rat air pouch model of inflammation

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the activation of NF-κB in the carrageenan rat air pouch model of inflammation in a time course experiment, and the effect of dexamethasone on NF-κB activation. METHODS Air pouch tissue treated with carrageenan (inflamed tissue) was obtained from rats killed at days 1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 21, 28 and 35 after carrageenan challenge. Tissue was also taken from non-carrageenan treated pouches (non-inflamed tissue) at day 3, and from inflamed tissues treated with dexamethasone. Tissue sections were wax embedded and stained with an “activity specific” monoclonal antibody raised against the nuclear localisation signal (NLS) of the p65 sub-unit of NF-κB. RESULTS Cells containing activated NF-κB were detected in the intimal and sub-intimal regions of the air pouches as early as day 1. There was a significant increase in cells staining for activated NF-κB as the inflammation progressed. Initially cells staining were more prominent in the intimal versus sub-intimal region (pCONCLUSIONS Activated NF-κB is present in the inflamed air pouch and the activation is associated with the inflammatory response to carrageenan. Treatment with dexamethasone resulted in reduced numbers of cells staining for activated NF-κB.