PCR arrays indicate that the expression of extracellular matrix and cell adhesion genes in human adipocytes is regulated by IL-1 (interleukin-1)

The role of IL-1 in regulating the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion genes in human adipocytes has been examined. Adipocytes differentiated in culture were incubated with IL-1 for 4 or 24h and RNA probed with PCR arrays for 84 ECM and cell adhesion genes. Treatment with IL-1 resulted in changes in the expression at one or both time points of approximate to 50% of the genes probed by the arrays, the majority being down-regulated. Genes whose expression was down-regulated by IL-1 included those encoding several collagen chains and integrin subunits. In contrast, IL-1 induced substantial increases (>10-fold) in the expression of ICAM1, VCAM1, MMP1 and MMP3; the secretion of the encoded proteins was also markedly stimulated. IL-1 has a pervasive effect on the expression of ECM and cell adhesion genes in human adipocytes, consistent with the derangement of tissue structure during inflammation in white fat.