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

Using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we investigated the influence of restraint stress on the expression of the mRNA for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the mRNA for the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in the rat brain. After rats had been restrained for 4 hours, the hypothalamus and midbrain were removed at fixed intervals up to 24 hours, and levels of IL-6 mRNA and of IL-6R mRNA in these regions were determined by RT-PCR. Restraint stress significantly enhanced the expression of IL-6 mRNA and reduced that of IL-6R mRNA in the midbrain, whereas the stress caused the reduced expression of IL-6R mRNA without any change in the level of IL-6 mRNA in the hypothalamus. After the stress, the expression of mRNAs for IL-6 and IL-6R continued to diminish in both regions. These findings indicate that the levels of mRNAs for both of IL-6 and IL-6R in the rat brain can be influenced by restraint stress.
 ...
PMID:The influence of restraint stress on the expression of mRNAs for IL-6 and the IL-6 receptor in the hypothalamus and midbrain of the rat. 929 42

Epidermal Langerhans cells are frequently anatomically associated with calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerves. Furthermore, calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits Langerhans cells antigen-presenting function in several assays. Studies were performed to further explore the hypothesis that Langerhans cells and nerves have a functional relationship. To examine whether Langerhans cells may produce factors that influence nerve cell differentiation, we utilized the Langerhans cell-like cell line XS52 as a surrogate for Langerhans cells and compared it with Langerhans cells enriched to 90%. Supernatants conditioned by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated XS52 cells were able to induce the differentiation of the pheochromocytoma line PC12 into sympathetic neuron-like cells. This was also the case with enriched Langerhans cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. Pretreatment of conditioned supernatants with specific neutralizing anti-sera indicated that most of the differentiation-inducing activity was due to interleukin-6 and a small amount was due to nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. By reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, three clones of the XS52 cell line, XS52-4D, XS52-11D, and XS52-8B, were found to express mRNA for interleukin-6 and expression was markedly augmented by lipopolysaccharide. mRNA for nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor was detected in XS52-4D and XS52-11D, but not in XS52-8B. The expression of these neurotrophic factors by enriched Langerhans cells was quite similar to that of XS52-4D. In order to examine whether Langerhans cells may express receptors for nerve-derived peptides, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was employed to look for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I, type II, and type III, and gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. All clones examined, as well as enriched Langerhans cells, expressed pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type II and type III, and gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. These results suggest bi-directional signalling between Langerhans cells and nerves; nerve cells may regulate Langerhans cell function by elaboration of certain neuropeptides whereas Langerhans cells may promote the differentation of nerves by elaboration of interleukin-6 and, possibly, other factors.
 ...
PMID:Expression of neurotrophic factors and neuropeptide receptors by Langerhans cells and the Langerhans cell-like cell line XS52: further support for a functional relationship between Langerhans cells and epidermal nerves. 932 95

Cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure are frequently accompanied by elevated plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), the pathogenetic relevance of this finding being a matter of debate. In human acute septic cardiomyopathy, on the other hand, the negative inotropic impact of TNF alpha on the heart is well documented and frequently ascribed to the induction of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and an enhanced production of NO in the heart. Yet the present study presents evidence that in cardiomyocytes TNF alpha in non-toxic concentrations specifically depresses contractile performance independent of NO. In spontaneously beating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, TNF alpha in a low, pathophysiologically relevant concentration (10 U/ml, 1-3 days) does not alter basal pulsation amplitude, but blocks alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor-stimulated increase in contractility and beating irregularity and impairs the impact of high extracellular calcium on contractile performance. However, this low TNF alpha-concentration does not suffice to induce iNOS - documented by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction - or enhance nitrite concentrations in the cell culture supernatants as a measure of cellular NO production, neither in the presence nor absence of dexamethasone (0.1 micro M). Only in high concentration - the specific proinflammatory action being documented by an enhanced release of interleukin-6 from cardiomyocytes - TNF alpha (1000 U/mol; 6, 24 h) weakly induces the mRNA for iNOS, with a consecutive moderate rise in cellular nitrite production. TNF alpha-incubation (10-1000 U/ml) does not alter the morphological appearance of the cells displayed by phase contrast microscopy or evoke gross cytotoxicity.
 ...
PMID:Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) is cardiodepressant in pathophysiologically relevant concentrations without inducing inducible nitric oxide-(NO)-synthase (iNOS) or triggering serious cytotoxicity. 940 66

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are essential effector cells in host defense and tissue inflammatory responses. These responses may be initiated after cross-linking of cell surface Fc receptors that bind the constant portion of IgG (FcgammaR). We evaluated the effect of cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by purified PMNs from normal donors or from patients being treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). In PMNs from normal donors, IL-6 mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction only after FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII cross-linking. We also found that IL-6 mRNA could be detected in PMNs after either in vitro or in vivo rhG-CSF treatment in the absence of FcgammaR cross-linking. IL-6 protein was found to be produced intracellularly and secreted by PMNs after cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII or after rhG-CSF stimulation. Cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII on PMNs from patients treated with rhG-CSF resulted in a synergistic increase in IL-6 secretion. Upregulation of IL-6 production by PMNs after rhG-CSF treatment may contribute to a clinical engraftment syndrome that occurs during periods of rapid increase in PMN numbers in patients receiving rhG-CSF.
 ...
PMID:Interleukin-6 production by human neutrophils after Fc-receptor cross-linking or exposure to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. 949 Jun 96

Cytokines appear to play an important role in the development and progression of epithelial tumors. Cultured normal human thyroid follicular cells constitutively release high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8, together with low to moderate levels of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and TGF-beta. IL-6 appears to play multiple functions in thyroid physiology and disease. Because certain data indicate an inverse relationship between IL-6 production and epithelial tumor aggressiveness, we used both tissue culture methods and histochemical techniques to search for possible alterations of cytokine expression in thyroid carcinomas. As compared to cultures from normal tissue and well-differentiated carcinoma, production of IL-6 was strongly down-regulated in cultures derived from undifferentiated carcinoma. In contrast, levels of IL-8, TGF-alpha, and TGF-beta produced by neoplastic TFC were similar to those produced by normal cells. Actually, production of TGF-alpha was slightly enhanced in cultures from well-differentiated carcinoma. Immunoassay results were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis. Immunohistochemistry of human thyroid carcinomas (n = 99) and normal thyroid tissue (n = 85) showed that immunoreactive IL-6 was strongly diminished in undifferentiated forms (n = 34) and slightly reduced in well-differentiated carcinoma (n = 65). In agreement with the in vitro results, TGF-alpha expression was significantly increased in neoplastic thyrocytes, as compared to their normal counterpart. The results indicate that, as in the mammary and salivary glands, down-regulation of IL-6 expression may represent a marker of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma.
 ...
PMID:Reduced expression of interleukin 6 in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma: in vitro and in vivo studies. 951 26

To investigate the cytokines involved in the interaction between circulating (B and T lymphocytes) and non-circulating (stromal cells) elements present in lymphoid tissue, highly purified populations were isolated from human tonsils and the cytokine production and mRNA expression (interleukin-1 alpha, -2, -4, -5, -6, -8, -10, leukocyte inhibitory factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interferon-gamma) were assessed both by immunoassay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction under resting conditions and after activation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Under basal conditions most cytokines were not detected, except for interleukin-8 which was produced by T lymphocytes and lymphoid cells. Activation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced interleukin-8 production by B lymphocytes. Tonsillar T lymphocytes expressed mRNA for interleukin-1 alpha, -8, -10, -4, leukocyte inhibitory factor, and interferon-gamma, only interleukin-4 was expressed by resting peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Tonsillar B lymphocytes were mRNA positive for interleukin-1 alpha, -8, -10, leukocyte inhibitory factor, and interferon-gamma, these were not expressed by peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Stromal cells constitutively produce interleukin-6 whose levels increased 5 times upon tumor necrosis factor-alpha activation Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-8 were detected only after tumor necrosis factor-alpha activation. Only stromal cells constitutively express interleukin-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and show a cytokine pattern different from that described for other non-lymphoid cells, such as follicular dendritic cells. These data indicate that in the human tonsil population, lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells can be distinguished by different patterns of cytokine expression.
 ...
PMID:Different pattern of cytokine production and mRNA expression by lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells isolated from human palatine tonsil. 959 59

The aim of the present study was to further characterize the role of alveolar macrophages (AM) in acute human lung inflammation by evaluating their capacity to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP; n=12) and healthy volunteers (n=10) underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). AM were separated to high purity (>96%) using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We determined the TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokine gene expression in AM ex vivo using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, we measured in vitro unstimulated, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and LPS/interferon-gamma inducible TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokine release and evaluated samples of BAL fluids for the same pro-inflammatory cytokines using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found increased TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in AM from CAP patients that were significantly elevated only for IL-8. When challenged with endotoxin in vitro, AM obtained from CAP patients showed a strongly reduced potential to release TNF-alpha and IL-6 compared to healthy controls, whereas IL-8 secretion did not differ significantly between groups. Moreover, stimulation of AM from CAP patients with LPS plus IFN-gamma augmented TNF-alpha and IL-6 cytokine release to near normal levels. Interestingly, no TNF-alpha protein was measured in BAL samples from CAP patients, whereas IL-6 and IL-8 protein levels were found to be significantly increased. Together, highly purified alveolar macrophages from community-acquired pneumonia patients show relatively low ex vivo tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 but not interleukin-8 messenger ribonucleic acid levels that are associated with a decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine release in vitro which, however, can be restored by concurrent interferon-gamma stimulation.
 ...
PMID:Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by flow-sorted alveolar macrophages in severe pneumonia. 959 98

Focal infections such as chronic tonsillitis or dental caries occasionally play a role in the induction or exacerbation of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Arthro-osteitis is sometimes a complication in severe cases of PPP. To study the effects of bacterial infection on the exacerbation of cutaneous lesions and arthralgia, we investigated the T-cell receptor V beta repertoire in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and tonsil tissue after tonsillectomy in 4 cases, who had chronic tonsillitis and a history of exacerbation of cutaneous lesions following a sore throat. First, serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 were measured before and after tonsillectomy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Second, 3H-TdR incorporation was used to examine the effects of the culture supernatant on the PBMC of the autologous patients, other PPP patients without tonsillitis and normal controls. T-cell receptor V beta repertoire was examined by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. Results showed that IL-8 was significantly high in the serum and abundantly released from tonsillar lymphocytes, which may play a role in the accumulation of neutrophils in lesional skin. T-cell receptors V beta 6 and 12 were preferentially expressed on tonsillar lymphocytes, and V beta 4, 7, 9, 17 and 18 were detected relatively frequently. These data suggest that restricted usage of T-cell receptor V beta subsets may play a crucial role in the induction of tonsillitis associated with PPP.
 ...
PMID:Restricted usage of the T-cell receptor V beta repertoire in tonsillitis in association with palmoplantar pustulosis. 960 17

A case of thymic squamous cell carcinoma producing interleukin-6 (IL-6) is reported. C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, and serum IL-6 had been elevated, and normalized immediately after tumorectomy. IL-6 in the culture supernatant from the tumor was significantly elevated and the expression of IL-6 mRNA was demonstrated in the tumor by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that tumor cells were stained positive with an anti-IL-6 antibody. IL-6 derived from the tumor cells reflected the increase CRP and WBC counts. This case suggested that asymptomatic elevation of acute-phase reactants might be clues for the diagnosis of an IL-6 producing tumor.
 ...
PMID:Thymic carcinoma associated with a high serum level of interleukin 6 diagnosed through the evaluation for asymptomatic elevation of acute-phase reactants. 963 Feb 6

The plasminogen activator (PA)-plasmin proteolytic system has recently received considerable attention because of its participation in a wide variety of biological activities and in pathological conditions involving tissue destruction. We examined the effects of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on PA activity and the gene expressions of tissue type (t) PA and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in human dental pulp (HDP) cells. IL-6 treatment induced significantly high PA activity in the HDP cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, compared with nontreated controls. Western-blot analysis showed that tPA protein in the conditioned medium was stimulated by IL-6, compared with the control. The tPA and PAI-1 mRNA levels were increased in HDP cells treated with IL-6, as shown by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that IL-6 stimulated PA activity through an enhancement of tPA gene expression and may be involved in extracellular matrix degradation through the stimulation of the PA-plasmin system of HDP cells.
 ...
PMID:Stimulatory effect of interleukin-6 on plasminogen activator activity from human dental pulp cells. 964 Nov 8


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>