Mouse IL-6. A hybridoma growth factor with multiple effects on normal B and T cells.
The effects of IL-6 on plasmacytomas and on normal B and T cells were examined. Evidence was presented to indicate that, in the mouse, IL-6 not only supports the growth of plasmacytomas in vitro, but also that it significantly enhances tumor progression in vivo. Analysis of the response of normal mouse B cells to IL-6 revealed the existence of a unique synergy between IL-6 and IL-1. The results obtained with T cells also highlighted the remarkable effects of the IL-1-IL-6 combination. In several experimental systems, including the generation of allogeneic cytolytic T cell responses, it appeared that accessory cells could be completely replaced by IL-1 and IL-6, whereas either cytokine used by itself was completely inactive. Analysis of the mode of action of IL-6 in T cell activation demonstrated the existence of two distinct mechanisms: induction of IL-2 biosynthesis and enhancement of T cell responsiveness to IL-2 and IL-4. Finally, it was reported that IL-6 is essential only during the early phases of T cell activation, thus indicating as far as T cells are concerned that IL-6 must be considered as a competence factor.
Van Snick
J
J
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Belgium.
Renauld
J C
JC
Simpson
R J
RJ
Uyttenhove
C
C
Vink
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins