Interleukin-6 is pyrogenic but not somnogenic.
Interleukin-6 (IL6) induces acute phase protein production and is hypothesized to mediate systemic and central effects of IL1. To determine whether IL6 possesses somnogenic properties, rabbits were injected intracerebroventricularly with IL6; sleep-wake activity was determined and brain temperatures recorded for 6 hr. IL6 induced fever in a dose-related manner with no effect on sleep-wake activity. IL6, therefore, is the first cytokine reported to elicit fever without promoting sleep. We conclude that the somnogenic action of IL1 is not mediated through IL6.
Opp
M
M
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
Obal
F
F
Cady
A B
AB
Johannsen
L
L
Krueger
J M
JM
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins