Endotoxin stimulates hepatocyte interleukin-6 production

Ninder Panesar, Kim Tolman, John E. Mazuski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine which mediates many aspects of the acute phase response. Although known to be produced by macrophages and other proinflammatory cells, IL-6 is also released by many types of epithelial cells. The present studies were performed to determine if endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines stimulate the release of IL-6 from native murine hepatocytes. Methods. Cultured hepatocytes were treated with various concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1 (IL-1), or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), in the presence or absence of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RA), an anti-TNF antibody, or dexamethasone. Culture supernatants were assayed for murine IL-6 using an ELISA. The cellular source of IL-6 was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Results. Hepatocyte IL-6 production was significantly increased following treatment with LPS, IL-1, and TNF. Combinations of LPS and these cytokines were synergistic in stimulating IL-6 release. Dexamethasone, but not IL-1 RA or an anti-TNF antibody, inhibited hepatocyte production of IL-6 in response to LPS. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the hepatocytes, and not contaminating nonparenchymal cells, were the principal source of the IL-6 produced in these cultures. Conclusions. Murine hepatocytes release significant amounts of IL-6 when exposed to endotoxin or proinflammatory cytokines. LPS appears to stimulate hepatocyte IL-6 production directly, and this effect does not appear to be mediated by IL-1 or TNF.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-258
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume85
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1999

Keywords

  • Acute phase proteins
  • Dexamethasone
  • Endotoxins
  • Interleukin- 1 receptor antagonist
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Tumor necrosis factor

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