Interleukin-4 stimulates collagen gene expression in human fibroblast monolayer cultures. Potential role in fibrosis.
A role for the cytokines produced by tissue-infiltrated inflammatory cells (mainly T-lymphocytes and mast cells) in the pathophysiology of fibrosis has been suggested by several groups. Among the products of these cells, interleukin-4 (IL-4) might be one of the factors involved in the initiation of the fibrotic process. We studied the effects of recombinant human IL-4 on human fibroblast monolayer cultures. IL-4 (10 and 100 U/ml) induced a dose-dependent increase of collagen production. Non-collagen protein synthesis was not significantly altered. A concomitant increase of pro-alpha 1(I) collagen mRNAs was observed, showing that IL-4 acts at a pre-translational level.
Gillery
P
P
Laboratoire de Biochimie, CNRS URA 610, Faculté de Médecine, Reims, France.
Fertin
C
C
Nicolas
J F
JF
Chastang
F
F
Kalis
B
B
Banchereau
J
J
Maquart
F X
FX
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005355:Fibrosis; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D003094:Collagen; D011392:Proline