The IL-6 gene but not the IL-6 receptor gene is occasionally rearranged in patients with multiple myeloma.
Constitutive secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been proposed as a mechanism of transformation in multiple myeloma. We therefore studied 15 patients with this disease for rearrangements of the IL-6 and IL-6 receptor genes. Two patients with altered IL-6 genes were identified. Chromosome analysis revealed aberrations of chromosome 7, where the IL-6 gene resides, in only these two patients, but not in others without IL-6 rearrangements. In one of these patients, constitutive IL-6 m-RNA expression was observed. No alterations of IL-6 receptor genes were detected.
Department of Oncology/Hematology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, F.R.G.
W
W
Fiedler
H J
HJ
Weh
E
E
Suciu
C
C
Wittlief
C
C
Stocking
D K
DK
Hossfeld
D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002897:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 / Q000502:physiology; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI / Q000378:metabolism; D015321:Gene Rearrangement / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D007952:Leukemia, Plasma Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000502:physiology; D008677:Metaphase / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000097:blood; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D012313:RNA; D015246:Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI