title: Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibit erythropoietin production in vitro.
abstract: The effects of several immunomodulatory peptides (recombinant, human) on the in vitro production of erythropoietin (Epo) were studied in cultures of the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2. A dose-dependent decrease of up to 60% in Epo production was induced by interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-1 alpha, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (in that order of potency). In contrast, moderately increased Epo levels resulted with interleukin-6 or interferon-gamma treatment at high concentrations. Concomitant measurements of the production of alpha-fetoprotein indicated that the observed effects were specific for Epo. Hence, we suspect a modulating role of the immune system in the in vivo control of Epo production and postulate that interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are involved in some of the cases of lowered blood Epo levels in association with renal diseases, chronic inflammation, and malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physiologie, Medizinische Universität, Lübeck, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fandrey
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Jelkmann
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007371:Interferon-gamma