OZONE INDUCTION OF CYTOKINE-INDUCED NEUTROPHIL CHEMOATTRACTANT (CINC)AND NUCLEAR FACTOR-KAPPA-B IN RAT LUNG - INHIBITION BY CORTICOSTEROIDS

We determined in rat lung whether ozone exposure was associated with t he expression of the chemokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattra ctant (CINC), and of the transcription factor, NF-kappa B. CINC mRNA e xpression peaked at 2 h after cessation of ozone exposure, and returne d to basal levels by 24 h, DNA-binding activity of NF-kappa B showed a marked increase after ozone, maxima at 2 h, Dexamethasone inhibited C INC mRNA and NF-kappa B expression, together with neutrophilic inflamm ation, Our data supports the concept that ozone leads to NF-kappa B ac tivation which increases CINC mRNA expression, These series of events could lead to neutrophilic inflammation.