title: Expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) mRNAs in rat brain during postnatal development.
abstract: Using RT-PCR, the development profile of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its receptor (IL-6R) mRNAs in rat brain was investigated. Our results indicate that IL-6 and IL-6R mRNAs are coexpressed and are developmentally regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Highest levels of both transcripts were detected in the adult hippocampus. Most pronounced developmental changes of IL-6 message levels were observed in the rat striatum increasing up to 8-fold. By contrast, in all other regions such as neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and pons/medulla oblongata only minor changes (2- to 3-fold) in IL-6 expression were seen. In most tissues IL-6 mRNA levels peaked at day 20. Marked induction of the receptor message levels was detected in the striatum, hippocampus and neocortex (8- to 10-fold) whereas no changes were observed in the cerebellum and the pons/medulla oblongata. The expression pattern of both genes in various brain areas during postnatal development strongly supports the concept of IL-6 as a candidate for a new neurotrophic factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gadient
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Otten
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6