Interleukin-4 stimulates collagen synthesis by normal and scleroderma fibroblasts in dermal equivalents.
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is one of the products of T-lymphocytes and mast cells, inflammatory cells which accumulate in connective tissues at early stages of fibrosis. We tested the effects of IL-4 on human fibroblasts from normal and scleroderma skin seeded in three dimensional collagen lattices ("dermal equivalents"). IL-4 (10 and 100 U/ml) stimulated collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. No significant alteration of lattice retraction and cell proliferation was observed. At the concentration 100 U/ml, Il-4 was approximately twice more efficient on collagen synthesis than Transforming Growth Factor beta (10 ng/ml). IL-4 secretion in connective tissues might be an important factor for the development of fibrotic processes.
Fertin
C
C
Laboratoire de Biochimie, CNRS URA 610, Faculté de Médecine, Reims, France.
Nicolas
J F
JF
Gillery
P
P
Kalis
B
B
Banchereau
J
J
Maquart
F X
FX
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D011506:Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D003094:Collagen