Interleukin-6 production in lung tissue after transthoracic esophagectomy.
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms of the reported high increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels after esophagectomy are unclear. We investigated the influence of an intrathoracic procedure, esophagectomy, on IL-6 production in lung tissue.


METHODS
Fourteen paired lung tissue samples were obtained from patients before and after they underwent transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. IL-6 levels in the lung were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and IL-6 mRNA expression was determined with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical staining was used to localize IL-6, and circulating levels were also measured.


RESULTS
IL-6 protein and mRNA were significantly increased in lung tissue after this intrathoracic procedure (p < 0.05). Peak levels of plasma IL-6 after surgery were correlated with IL-6 levels in lung tissues obtained after the procedure (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed IL-6 production from alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells but not from alveolar macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
Transthoracic esophagectomy causes an increase in IL-6 production from airway epithelial cells, secondary to increased expression of IL-6 mRNA. Local response of lung tissue may be one source of increased serum IL-6 after this procedure.
Department of Surgery II, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan.
T
T
Abe
M
M
Oka
A
A
Tangoku
H
H
Hayashi
K
K
Yamamoto
N
N
Yahara
K
K
Morita
T
T
Tabata
Y
Y
Ohmoto
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001706:Biopsy; D001980:Bronchi / Q000737:chemistry*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger