Differential expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) mRNAs in rat hypothalamus.
Using the sensitive technique of reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its receptor (IL-6R) in rat hypothalamus was investigated. Our results show a differential expression of the mRNAs for IL-6 and IL-6R during postnatal development: whereas IL-6 mRNA slightly declines with increasing age, IL-6R mRNA levels markedly increase (4-fold). The time course of these changes correlates with the maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, indicating an involvement of the IL-6 system in neuroendocrine regulation. Expression of both genes in other brain areas suggest additional functions in the central nervous system (CNS).
Department of Physiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
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D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001483:Base Sequence; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6
D015850:Interleukin-6; D015335:Molecular Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6