Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P05231 (interleukin-6)
 23,907 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Both infections and injuries activate the immunity system, leading to a series of metabolic changes which place the organism at a disadvantage and contribute to its elimination, thus facilitating the repair of the injured tissue. The study of the actions of tumour necrosing factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), classically implicated in inflammatory processes and in fighting infection, has revealed numerous metabolic effects. Some gene polymorphisms of TNF-alpha and IL-6 (associated with a different TNF-alpha or IL-6 transcription rate) and the plasma concentrations of the soluble TNF-alpha receptor are found to be simultaneously associated with resistance to insulin, the proportion of body fat and with the mortality linked with different chronic infections. Therefore, it seems that the immune system is designed to fight infections effectively and to provide certain survival advantages during periods of intermittent fasting so frequent in the past. By inducing a resistance to insulin in the muscles, the energy substrates would thus be reserved for neuronal metabolism. In the presence of an insulin-resistance genotype and a westernization of the environment (carbohydrate-rich diet, an increase in saturated fat, low fibre and sedentary lifestyle), a genotype with a high cytokine response will contribute to a worsening of the resistance to insulin and, finally, to type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. The advantages for our ancestors of a large cytokine response (eradication of the lesion) or moderate resistance to insulin (protection against food shortage) have led in the present day to the development of atherosclerosis now that the characteristics of the environment have changed. It is contended that these changes constitute examples of good adaptation to the environment or poor concordance between our current lifestyle and our genome.
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PMID:[Insulin resistance and evolution]. 1192 38

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a nonspecific but sensitive marker of inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha induce the synthesis of CRP in hepatocytes. Increased CRP level is considered to be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and ischemic stroke. It is positively correlated with weight loss, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, extent of disease, and recurrence in advanced cancer. Its role as a predictor of survival has been shown in multiple myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal tumors. Measurement of CRP is simple, cheap, and routine and provides valuable information in palliative care.
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PMID:The role of C-reactive protein as a prognostic indicator in advanced cancer. 1193 16

Persistent infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (Chlamydophila pneumoniae) has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis, asthma and other chronic diseases. However, data on treatment of C. pneumoniae infections are limited. Microbiological failure of antimicrobial therapy has been described, even after prolonged courses of treatment with azithromycin, doxycycline and erythromycin. Gemifloxacin is an enhanced-affinity fluoroquinolone with excellent activity against most common respiratory pathogens, including C. pneumoniae. The effect of prolonged treatment with gemifloxacin, compared with azithromycin, on viability of C. pneumoniae was investigated in a continuous infection model. Gemifloxacin at final con-centrations of 0.25 and 2.5 mg/L reduced the viability of C. pneumoniae by 5 log(10), which was similar to the effect of azithromycin. However, both antimicrobials failed to completely eliminate C. pneumoniae from continuously infected cells, even after 30 days of treatment. Both antibiotics decreased levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in this model, but this effect appeared to be secondary to the antichlamydial activity, as the cytokine levels correlated with the concentrations of microorganisms.
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PMID:Effect of gemifloxacin on viability of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Chlamydophila pneumoniae) in an in vitro continuous infection model. 1200 69

Inflammatory mediators and soluble cell adhesion molecules predict cardiovascular events. It is not clear whether they reflect the severity of underlying atherosclerotic disease. Within the Rotterdam Study, we investigated the associations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 with noninvasive measures of atherosclerosis. Levels of CRP were assessed in a random sample of 1317 participants, and levels of IL-6 and soluble cell adhesion molecules were assessed in a subsample of 714 participants. In multivariate analyses, logarithmically transformed CRP (regression coefficient [beta]=-0.023, 95% CI -0.033 to -0.012) and IL-6 (beta=-0.025, 95% CI -0.049 to -0.001) were inversely associated with the ankle-arm index. Only CRP was associated with carotid intima-media thickness (beta=0.018, 95% CI 0.010 to 0.027). Compared with the lowest tertile, the odds ratio for moderate to severe carotid plaques associated with levels of CRP in the highest tertile was 2.0 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.0). Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels were strongly associated with carotid plaques (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.4 [highest versus lowest tertile]). Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was not significantly associated with any of the measures of atherosclerosis. This study indicates that CRP is associated with the severity of atherosclerosis measured at various sites. Associations of the other markers with atherosclerosis were less consistent.
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PMID:Inflammatory mediators and cell adhesion molecules as indicators of severity of atherosclerosis: the Rotterdam Study. 1200 99

The pathological role of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in atherosclerosis is mediated through effects on macrophages, foam cells, and other vascular cells. Recently, we reported that ATP-binding cassette transporter 1(ABC1) message and protein levels were decreased 3- to 4-fold in foam cells by IFN-gamma. In the present study, the pathway by which IFN-gamma inhibited ABC1 expression was investigated with signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat1) knockout mice. IFN-gamma-stimulated, wild-type, macrophage-derived foam cells, as previously reported, exhibited a decrease in cholesterol efflux and ABC1 expression as well as an increase in acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol-O-acyltransferase activity. However, IFN-gamma treatment of foam cells from Stat1 knockout mice failed to demonstrate reductions in efflux or ABC1 expression at the message or protein levels, nor were there any increases in acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol-O-acyltransferase activity. However, ABC1 mRNA expression in macrophages from Stat1 knockout mice could still be demonstrated to be increased by lipid loading with acetylated low density lipoprotein. Finally, Stat1-independent gene activation by IFN-gamma was intact in the Stat1 KO macrophages, inasmuch as IFN-gamma was shown to stimulate increases in interleukin-6 production in the Stat1 KO macrophages that were comparable to those observed in the wild-type macrophages. Therefore, Stat1 signaling is necessary and sufficient for the inhibitory effects of IFN-gamma on cholesterol efflux and ABC1 expression.
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PMID:Interferon-gamma-mediated downregulation of cholesterol efflux and ABC1 expression is by the Stat1 pathway. 1200 10

Inflammatory response and chemotaxis of vascular wall cells play an important pathogenic role in the development of atherosclerosis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemoattractant for monocytes. Besides the induction of monocyte recruitment, it has been suggested that MCP-1 may directly activate smooth muscle cells. We investigated whether MCP-1 affects the proliferation and cytokine production of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and determined the underlying signal transduction pathways. Stimulation of VSMCs with MCP-1 induced proliferation and resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent release of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). Pretreatment with pertussis toxin, GF109203X, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibited MCP-1-dependent IL-6 release, suggesting the involvement of G(i) proteins, protein kinase C, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). MCP-1 also induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase, which, along with IL-6 release, was inhibited by pertussis toxin. PD98059 prevented MCP-1-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and cell proliferation. MCP-1 stimulated the binding activity of NF-kappaB and of activator protein-1 (AP-1). As demonstrated by cis element double-stranded (decoy) oligodeoxynucleotides, NF-kappaB was involved in IL-6 release by MCP-1, whereas proliferation was dependent on AP-1. The results clearly demonstrate that MCP-1 induces differential activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in VSMCs. Thus, our data propose a new mechanism for the proatherogenic effect of MCP-1.
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PMID:Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induces proliferation and interleukin-6 production in human smooth muscle cells by differential activation of nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1. 1206 98

So-called coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as other environmental contaminants that are aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, may compromise the normal functions of vascular endothelial cells by activating oxidative stress-sensitive signaling pathways and subsequent proinflammatory events critical in the pathology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. To test this hypothesis, porcine endothelial cells were exposed to PCB 153 and to three coplanar PCBs (PCB 77, PCB 126, or PCB 169). In contrast to PCB 153, which is not a ligand for the Ah receptor (AhR), all coplanar PCBs disrupted endothelial barrier function. All coplanar PCBs increased expression of the CYP1A1 gene, oxidative stress (DCF fluorescence), and the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). PCB-induced oxidative stress was concentration-dependent, with PCB 126 exhibiting a maximal response at the lowest concentration (0.5 microM) tested. The increase in NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity was confirmed in endothelial cells by a luciferase reporter gene assay. In contrast to PCB 153, coplanar PCBs that are AhR ligands increased endothelial production of interleukin-6. At 3.4 microM, expression of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 was most sensitive to PCB 77 and 169. We also provide in vivo evidence, suggesting that binding to the AhR is critical for the proinflammatory properties of PCBs. Twenty hours after a single administration of PCB 77, VCAM-1 expression was increased only in wild-type mice, while mice lacking the AhR gene showed no increased staining for VCAM-1. These data provide evidence that coplanar PCBs, agonists for the AhR, and inducers of cytochrome P450 1A1, produce oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in vascular endothelial cells. An intact AhR may be necessary for the observed PCB-induced responses. These findings suggest that activation of the AhR can be an underlying mechanism of atherosclerosis mediated by certain environmental contaminants.
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PMID:Proinflammatory properties of coplanar PCBs: in vitro and in vivo evidence. 1207 26

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the most important component of the renin-angiotensin system, is usually associated with hypertension and renal failure. Through its pro-inflammatory actions, it also plays an important role in each step of the development of atherosclerotic plaques and plaque rupture. Ang II stimulates the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB), a transcription factor which regulates gene expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) are dramatically increased in atherosclerotic plaques, particularly in monocytes at the fibrous cap. Thus, in multiple ways, Ang II is a critical factor in atherosclerotic plaque formation, inflammation and plaque stability. ACE inhibitors and AT1R inhibitors could therefore be appropriate therapeutic agents in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Angiotensin II as a pro-inflammatory mediator. 1209 Jul 26

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key molecule in chronic inflammation and has been implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may reduce the cardiovascular risk and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque through nonlipid as well as lipid-lowering mechanisms, but their anti-inflammatory effects on the vascular tissue have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the effects of fluvastatin on IL-6 synthesis in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Addition of fluvastatin decreased IL-6 synthesis in VSMCs in a time (0-24 hours)- and dose (10(-8)-10(-5) mol/L)-dependent manner. Fluvastatin also decreased IL-6 mRNA expression in VSMCs. The effects of fluvastatin on IL-6 expression were completely reversed in the presence of mevalonate or geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate, but not squalene. Inhibition of Rho by C3 exoenzyme or Rho kinase by Y-27632 significantly decreased IL-6 expression in VSMCs. In conclusion, fluvastatin decreases IL-6 synthesis in human VSMCs through inhibition of Rho pathway. These findings suggested that reduction of IL-6 expression by statins may partially explain their therapeutic effects in patients with coronary artery disease.
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PMID:HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors reduce interleukin-6 synthesis in human vascular smooth muscle cells. 1209 Sep 4

Infectious agents are possible stimulators of inflammation in atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate if Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori were associated with elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-6 in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients (n=193) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=193) as markers of increased inflammatory activity. C reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were also included. Serologic status towards the two bacteria was measured and levels of the inflammatory markers were compared between seropositives and seronegatives, each study group being evaluated separately. In CHD patients Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgA seropositivity predicted elevated TNFalpha levels (P=0.009), still statistically significant after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P=0.005). Chlamydia LPS IgG seropositivity independently predicted fibrinogen levels in CHD patients (P=0.028), while no association between serology and inflammatory markers were observed among controls. H. pylori seropositivity alone was not associated with any increase in the inflammatory markers in any of the two groups. However, in CHD patients seropositivity to both agents predicted higher levels of TNFalpha (P=0.041), CRP (P=0.037) and fibrinogen (P=0.001) compared to double seronegativity. We conclude that C. pneumoniae LPS seropositivity may contribute to increased vascular inflammation in CHD patients, possibly even more pronounced when present in combination with H. pylori seropositivity.
Atherosclerosis 2002 Sep
PMID:Positive Chlamydia pneumoniae serology is associated with elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with coronary heart disease. 1211 4


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