RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To demonstrate the effects of IL-1beta on MUC2/MUC5B gene expression in cultured human nasal epithelial cells.@*METHOD@#In passage-2 cultured human nasal epithelial cells, the mRNA levels of MUC2/MUC5B gene expression induced by IL-1 beta were determined by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR.@*RESULT@#MUC2/MUC5B mRNAs were detected after 24 h of exposure to IL-1beta. MUC2 mRNA levels in IL-1 beta treatment [(39.26 +/- 6.10) x 10(4) copy/microg] were significantly higher than control [(5.70 +/- 4.16) x 10(4) copy/microg] (P < 0.01). MUC5BmRNA levels in IL-1beta treatment [(5.7 +/- 2.06) x 10(5) copy/microg] were significantly higher than control [(1.11 +/- 0.72) 10(5) copy/microg] (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#IL-1 beta increased MUC2/MUC5B mRNA levels in human nasal epithelial cells. These results suggest that IL-1beta may enhance mucin gene expression in cultured human nasal epithelial cells.