title: Expression of mRNA for interleukin 6 by cells infiltrating epiretinal membranes in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
abstract: We have investigated the expression of mRNA for interleukin 6 (IL-6) in cells infiltrating 12 epiretinal membranes, and the presence of biologically active IL-6 in vitreous humour available from five corresponding eyes. The results showed that nine of the 12 membranes (75%) contained cells expressing mRNA for this cytokine. Although in two of the specimens pigmented cells were identified as some of the cells expressing mRNA for IL-6, we did not identify the nature of IL-6 mRNA-producing cells infiltrating the membranes. Interestingly, two vitreous samples from eyes whose membranes did not contain cells with mRNA for IL-6 exhibited significant concentrations of IL-6 (315 and 28 micrograms/ml). Parallel study of mRNA for IL-6 in PVR biopsies and of IL-6 levels in corresponding vitreous may indicate how cytokine-mediated pathways of inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of epiretinal membrane formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, UMDS, London.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Limb
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapur
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Woon
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chignell
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Dumonde
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger