Interleukin-6 expression by fibroblasts grown in three-dimensional gel cultures.
We investigated the expression and biological activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by human fibroblasts cultured as monolayers and within three-dimensional type I collagen lattices. In the course of contracting the gel to a dense tissue-like structure, the cells upregulated their levels of IL-6 mRNA as well as IL-6 biological activity. While there was little mRNA and protein activity (6,500 U/ml) in monolayer cultures, fibroblasts in the 3D system showed a 13-fold increase in IL-6 mRNA on day 3. IL-6 protein was increased 6-fold (38,000 U/ml) on day 4. Stimulation of fibroblast cultures with IL-1 alpha resulted in enhanced IL-6 production in both systems, but the fibroblasts embedded into the 3D network continued to exhibit higher levels.
Eckes
B
B
Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Germany.
Hunzelmann
N
N
Ziegler-Heitbrock
H W
HW
Urbanski
A
A
Luger
T
T
Krieg
T
T
Mauch
C
C
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger