Effects of interleukin-1α on the production and release of basic fibroblast growth factor in cultured nifedipine-reactive gingival fibroblasts

The effect of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) on the production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human gingival fibroblasts originated from a nifedipine-reactive patient was investigated. Ca2+-mobilizing agents, thapsigargin and bradykinin, were also tested to determine whether they affected the production and release of bFGF. The release of bFGF from IL-1α-pretreated cells in relation to the transient increase in intracellular Ca2+([Ca2+]i) and extracellular Ca2+levels was also investigated. IL-1α and thapsigargin yielded significantly higher bFGF production, and also enhanced bFGF mRNA expression. IL-1α-pretreated cells showed significantly greater release of bFGF under the present experimental conditions. Levels of released bFGF were significantly higher in cells pretreated with IL-1α, followed by bradykinin and thapsigargin in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The transient mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ accelerated the release of bFGF in IL-1α-pretreated cells, but not in untreated cells. Thus, IL-1α increases bFGF production in nifedipine-reactive gingival fibroblasts and also influences the release of bFGF in the IL-1α-pretreated cells. (J. Oral Sci. 50, 83-90, 2008)