Objective       To determine the effect of trans-activator of transcription-NEMO binding domain (TAT-NBD) on bilirubin-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and neuroinflammation in rat cortical astrocytes.       Methods       Astrocytes were freshly separated from the cortex of newborn SD rats. After identification and purification

the astrocytes at passage 2 were randomly divided into control group

bilirubin group and TAT-NBD intervention group. Cellular morphology were observed by immunofluorescence assay

the survival rate were assessed with a modified MTT assay

the expression and activity of NF-κB p65 protein was detected by Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA)

and the contents of IL-1β

TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.       Results       Compared with the astrocytes in the control group

the expression of NF-κB p65 protein was significantly increased in bilirurin-treated cells (P0.01)

reaching the peak at 2 and 12 h (P0.05). Consistent with the expression of NF-κB

the contents of IL-1β

TNF-α and IL-6 were in a time-dependent manner. TAT-NBD intervention dramatically inhibited bilirubin-induced NF-κB p65 activation as well as the release of IL-1β

TNF-α and IL-6 (P0.01). The viability of astrocyte cells was decreased after bilirubin exposure

whereas the survival rate of TAT-NBD intervention group was significantly higher than that of bilirubin group but lower than that of the control group (P0.01).       Conclusion      In in vitro model

bilirubin-induced cortical astrocytes inflammation is obviously related to the over-expression and activation of NF-κB. TAT-NBD does show strong anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and release of inflammatory cytokines

which might be useful in prophylaxis of bilirubin-induced brain injury.