We previously demonstrated that human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived HuH-7 cells stimulated with interleukin1b (IL-1b) produce a 1 -acid glycoprotein (AGP) with increased amounts of sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) antigen, although the mechanism remained obscure. Here, we report our investigation of the mechanism. sLeX expression on HuH-7 cells was induced 2.5 times more after 48 h stimulation with 100 U/mL IL-1b compared with control, as indicated by anti-sLeX antibody binding. Furthermore, expression of 2,3-sialylated N-acetyllactosamine increased gradually up to 48 h after IL-1b stimulation; this preceded the increase in sLeX expression. Increases in a2,3-sialyltransferase activity also preceded increases in a1,3-fucosyltransferase activity. Furthermore, mRNA levels of ST3Gal IV, FUT IV and VI in HuH-7 cells stimulated with IL-1b were increased at 2-4 h, while increases in FUT VI mRNA level occurred gradually after 24 h. IL-1b-induced sLeX expression on HuH-7 cells was suppressed by transfection of gene-specific small interference RNAs against FUT VI and ST3Gal IV but not against FUT IV and ST3Gal III. These data results that IL-1b induces expression of sLeX on HuH-7 cells by enhanced expression of FUT VI and ST3Gal IV gene.
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