IL-6-soluble IL-6 receptor complex inhibits the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts.
A number of investigators has reported that there is increased production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by fibroblasts and monocytes from the patients with systemic sclerosis (SS). However, the precise role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of SS remains unclear. On the basis of our previous study showing that the complex of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) could induce synovial fibroblast proliferation, we examined whether the IL-6-sL-6R complex could induce the proliferation of normal dermal fibroblastic cells (DF). IL-6 suppressed DF proliferation, and, in the presence of sIL-6R, dose-dependently showed much stronger suppressive effects on DF proliferation. This suppression was completely blocked by either anti-IL-6 or anti-sIL-6R antibody. Furthermore, the IL-6-sIL-6R complex significantly suppressed IL-1 beta-, TNF alpha- and PDGF-AA-induced DF proliferation. These lines of evidence suggest that the IL-6-sIL-6R complex may have potential as a useful agent for the treatment of SS.
Mihara
M
M
Fuji-Gotemba Research Laboratories, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan.
Moriya
Y
Y
Ohsugi
Y
Y
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology*; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D012995:Solubility; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000166:cytology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6