Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mouse skin is associated with local accumulation of interleukin-6 mRNA and immunoreactive interleukin-6 protein.
We used a BALB/c model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), an IgE-mediated, mast cell-dependent reaction, to demonstrate the early production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein product. Northern blot analysis detects IL-6 mRNA 1, and 2 hours after antigen challenge (dinitrophenyl30-40 human serum albumin [DNP30-40-HSA]) and in situ hybridization reveals that it is primarily cells with round-to-oval nuclei within the dermis (1 to 3 per high-power field) expressing IL-6 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry revealed perinuclear and cytoplasmic staining for immunoreactive IL-6 in mononuclear dermal cells and also cells within the basal keratinocyte layer. Injection of recombinant murine IL-6 (rmIL-6) either systemically or locally during antidinitrophenyl IgE skin sensitization resulted in increased vasopermeability at the PCA site after DNP30-40-HSA. However, this increased permeability was not associated with a change in the character of the cellular infiltrate at the PCA site 8 hours later. Although the specific role of IL-6 in the generation of the allergic response remains unknown, its detection during PCA unequivocally demonstrates that IL-6 be considered one of the mediators identified in inflammation that follows allergic reactions.
Mican
J A
JA
Mast Cell Physiology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda 20892.
Arora
N
N
Burd
P R
PR
Metcalfe
D D
DD
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins