C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A mRNA stability following induction by cytokines.

We determined the effects of cytokine withdrawal on C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) mRNA abundance in Hep3B cells following 24 h of preinduction with interleukin 6 plus interleukin 1 beta. After cytokine withdrawal, CRP transcription rate rapidly fell to undetectable levels and mRNA levels fell with a half-disappearance time of about 2.5 h. In view of the relatively small amount of CRP transcription occurring at this time, it is likely that this value closely reflects the actual half-life of CRP mRNA. In contrast, substantial SAA transcription continued for at least 8 h, while SAA mRNA fell with a half-disappearance time of about 8.5 h. It is not possible, under these conditions, to determine SAA mRNA half-life, but it clearly was no greater than 8.5 h. Both Actinomycin D (ActD) and cycloheximide enhanced the stability of SAA mRNA, strongly suggesting that SAA mRNA degradation requires synthesis of a short-lived protein. CRP mRNA stability was also enhanced by ActD, but cycloheximide did not have a protracted stabilizing effect, suggesting complex regulatory processes. These studies provide insight into the stability of CRP and SAA mRNA following induction with [IL-6 + IL-1 beta] and into the mechanisms regulating their degradation.