Mechanisms of modulation of cytokine release by human cord blood monocytes exposed to high concentrations of caffeine

Raul Chavez-Valdez, Rajni Ahlawat, Marsha Wills-Karp, Estelle B. Gauda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background:Serum caffeine concentrations >20 μg/ml (100 μmol/l) in infants treated for apnea of prematurity increases TNF-α and decreases IL-10, changes that perhaps are linked to comorbidities. We hypothesize that this proinflammatory cytokine profile may be linked to differential binding of caffeine to adenosine receptor subtypes (AR), inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), and modulation of toll-like receptors (TLR).Methods:Lipopolysaccharide-activated cord blood monocytes (CBM) from 19 infants were exposed to caffeine (0-200 μmol/l) with or without previous exposure to A 1 R, A 3 R, or PDE IV antagonists to determine changes in dose-response curves. Cytokines levels (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation (enzyme immunoassay (EIA)), and TLR gene expression (real time qRT PCR) were measured.Results:Caffeine at ≤100 μmol/l decreased TNF-α levels (∼25%, P = 0.01) and cAMP. All caffeine concentrations decreased IL-10 levels (17-35%, P < 0.01). A 1 R, A 3 R, and PDE blockades decreased TNF-α (31, 21, and 88%, P ≤ 0.01), but not IL-10. Caffeine further decreased TNF-α following A 3 R and PDE blockades. Caffeine concentrations directly correlated to TLR4 gene expression (r = 0.84; P < 0.001).Conclusion:Neither A 3 R, nor PDE blockades are involved in caffeine's modulation of cytokine release by CBM at any concentration. Besides A 1 R blockade, caffeine's upregulation of TLR4 may promote inflammation at high concentrations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)101-109
Number of pages9
JournalPediatric research
Volume80
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mechanisms of modulation of cytokine release by human cord blood monocytes exposed to high concentrations of caffeine'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this