Peptide-Mediated Disruption of NFκB/NRF Interaction Inhibits IL-8 Gene Activation by IL-1 or Helicobacter pylori

Selective inhibition of proinflammatory chemokines such as IL-8 is an important approach to combat inflammatory and infection diseases. Previous studies suggested that interaction of transcription factors NFκB repressing factor (NRF) and NFκB play a crucial role in activation of IL-8 gene expression. In a search for a specific inhibitor of IL-8 expression, we applied tandem affinity purification to investigate interaction of NRF and NFκB p65 in cells. We identified a synthetic peptide corresponding to aa 223–238 of NRF interfering with binding of endogenous p65 to NRF. Furthermore, nucleofection experiments were established to introduce this inhibitory peptide into the nucleus of IL-1 stimulated human cervical and Helicobacter pylori infected gastric epithelial cells. Our data clearly show that the specific peptide disturbing NRF/NFκB interaction is able to significantly decrease endogenous IL-8 gene transcription in response to IL-1 or Helicobacter pylori infection. Thus, our study provides novel insights into NRF and NFκB interaction in vivo and may facilitate the design of new anti-IL-8 drugs based on novel strategies.