Interleukin 6 is involved in interleukin 1-induced activities.
Human monocytes produce a number of soluble mediators involved in regulation of inflammation and lymphocyte growth and differentiation such as interleukin 1 (IL 1) and tumor necrosis factor. Recently, the cDNA of another monocyte-derived factor, interleukin 6 (IL 6), was cloned. Herein we show that purified E. coli-derived recombinant IL 6 (rIL 6) is as active as IL 1 in the thymocyte assay. In addition, IL 1 and IL 6 synergize strongly in stimulating thymocyte proliferation. Another property shared by IL 1 and IL 6 is their pyrogenicity. Human rIL 6 induces a monophasic fever after i.v. injection into rabbits. Together with the observation that IL 1 induces IL 6 in a variety of cells including thymocytes, our data suggest that IL 6 is involved in many of the pleiotropic effects of IL 1.
Helle
M
M
Central Laboratory, The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Brakenhoff
J P
JP
De Groot
E R
ER
Aarden
L A
LA
D000818:Animals; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D011749:Pyrogens / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D011749:Pyrogens