Interleukin 6/B cell stimulatory factor-II is expressed and released by normal and transformed human bronchial epithelial cells.
Airway epithelial cells have a potential to participate in local immune and inflammatory responses via releasing biologically active compounds. We studied the expression and release of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine possibly involved in tissue immune responses. Primary culture of normal human bronchial epithelial cells and its transformed cell line BEAS-2B released significant amount of biologically and immunologically intact IL-6 into media. A protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide abolished the IL-6 release, suggesting a de novo synthesis. Northern blot analysis demonstrated the expression of the specific IL-6 mRNA. Human bronchial epithelial cells can produce IL-6 and contribute to the local activity of IL-6, suggesting that these cells may play a role in the regulation of airway immune responses.
Takizawa
H
H
Department of Medicine & Physical Therapy, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Japan.
Ohtoshi
T
T
Ohta
K
K
Hirohata
S
S
Yamaguchi
M
M
Suzuki
N
N
Ueda
T
T
Ishii
A
A
Shindoh
G
G
Oka
T
T
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005312:Fetal Blood; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003513:Cycloheximide