title: IL-6 enhances TNF-alpha- and IL-1-induced increase of Mn superoxide dismutase mRNA and O2 tolerance.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are multifunctional cytokines produced by a number of cells in response to endotoxin. We have previously demonstrated (M.-F. Tsan, J. E. White, T. A. Santana, and C. Y. Lee. J. Appl. Physiol. 68: 1211-1219, 1990, and M.-F. Tsan, C. Y. Lee, and J. E. White. J. Appl. Physiol. 71: 688-697, 1991) that tracheal insufflation of 5 micrograms of TNF-alpha or 1 microgram of IL-1 markedly protects rats against O2 toxicity and enhances pulmonary Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) activity. We now report that TNF-alpha and IL-1 at subprotective doses, e.g., 1 and 0.2 micrograms, respectively, act synergistically in protecting rats against O2 toxicity. Likewise, TNF-alpha and IL-1 at 0.005 microgram/ml each act synergistically in enhancing endothelial cell Mn SOD, but not Cu,Zn SOD mRNA levels. IL-6 at 5 or 10 micrograms provides no protective effect in rats against O2 toxicity and at up to 0.5 microgram/ml has no apparent effect on endothelial cell Mn or Cu,Zn SOD mRNA levels. However, IL-6 markedly enhances TNF-alpha- and IL-1-induced increases in Mn SOD mRNA levels and O2 tolerance. These results support an important role of Mn SOD in the protection against O2 toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Research Service, Samuel S. Stratton Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Albany, New York.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Tsan
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Shaffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000401:mortality; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010100:Oxygen