title: Neuroprotective effects of interleukin-6 on NMDA-induced rat retinal damage.
abstract: This study shows that interleukin-6 (IL-6) combined with soluble interleukin-6 receptors (sIL-6R) modulates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced retinal damage. Eyes pretreated with a combined injection of IL-6 and sIL-6R had NMDA administered into the vitreous cavity. Morphometric analysis and retrograde labeling analysis found that pretreatment with either IL-6 or sIL-6R alone did not bring about any neuroprotective effect. However, pretreatment with a combined administration of IL-6 and sIL-6R induced a significant neuroprotective effect against NMDA-induced retinal damage. Apoptotic changes in the retina were assessed by the TUNEL method. The results indicated that pretreatment with IL-6 combined with sIL-6R prevents NMDA-induced apoptosis. Western blotting studies demonstrated upregulation of gp130 expression in the NMDA-injected retina. Present studies suggest that IL-6 combined with sIL-6R provides a neuroprotective effect on NMDA-induced retinal damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inomata
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yonemura
authors.forename: Takahisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kido
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanihara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D058966:Contactins; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D058966:Contactins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D016202:N-Methylaspartate