title: Interleukin-6 expression in human multiple sclerosis lesions.
abstract: The present study investigated interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in 36 multiple sclerosis (MS) cases by immunocytochemistry. The numbers of IL-6 expressing cells were correlated to the stage of demyelinating activity and the pattern of oligodendrocyte pathology. IL-6 positive cells were identified as macrophages and astrocytes by morphological criteria. Approximately 10-17% of the astrocytes and up to 2% of the macrophages within the lesion expressed IL-6. Highest numbers of IL-6 expressing cells were found in inactive demyelinating lesions. There was a significant increase of IL-6 positive cells in lesions with oligodendrocyte preservation, whereas absence of IL-6 expression correlated with oligodendrocyte loss. These observations indicate a possible important role for IL-6 in oligodendrocyte protection and survival in MS lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schönrock
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gawlowski
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brück
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D019610:Cytoprotection; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6