RECIPROCAL EFFECTS OF PRO-INFLAMMATORY STIMULI AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS ON THE ACTIVITY OF HEAT-SHOCK FACTOR-I IN HUMAN MONOCYTES

Heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), the transcriptional activator of heat sho ck genes has recently been shown to play a role in the repression of a cute phase genes. We have further explored the role of HSF-1 in inflam matory processes in human monocytes. HSF-1 was activated in these cell s by a wide range of classes of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) while being strongly repressed by pro-inflammatory stimuli. Th e experiments indicate reciprocal regulation of the acute phase and he at shock responses and suggest a novel target for the NSAID family of drugs. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.