Monokine stimulation of interleukin-11 production by human vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.
Human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are a component of blood vessels, and secrete a variety of cytokines in atherosclerotic loci. Interleukin-11 (IL-11), a member of IL-6-like cytokines, is reported to be involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling, both of which are observed in atherosclerosis. However, no information is available as to the production of IL-11 by VSMC. Therefore, the expression of IL-11 in VSMC is investigated. The amounts of IL-11 protein and mRNA were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Northern blot analysis, respectively. The expression of IL-11 in VSMC was also immunohistochemically determined. IL-1 alpha, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) and, to a lesser extent, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) stimulated the IL-11 production by VSMC, and the stimulatory effects of IL-1 alpha and TGF beta on IL-11 production were dose-dependent. IL-1 alpha and TNF alpha synergistically augmented TGF beta-stimulated IL-11 production by VSMC. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed the expression of IL-11 protein in VSMC. Furthermore, IL-1 alpha, TGF beta, and TNF alpha induced IL-11 gene expression in VSMC. Because IL-6-like cytokines are reported to be cytoprotective, monokine-stimulated IL-11 may have a potent protective role in atherosclerotic lesions.
First Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. htaki-tym@umin.ac.jp
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Taki
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Sakai
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Sugiyama
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Mino
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Kuroda
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Taki
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Hamazaki
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Koizumi
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Kobayashi
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D015846:Monokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
D007375:Interleukin-1; D017370:Interleukin-11; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D015846:Monokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha