Autocrine IL-6 regulates GRO-alpha production in thymic epithelial cells.
Thymic interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is produced primarily by thymic epithelial cells, is an important cytokine for T cell growth and differentiation in the thymus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of autocrine IL-6 on the cytokines in primary cultures of human thymic epithelial cells. Using an antibody array and ELISA, in addition to IL-8 and MCP-1, growth-related oncogene-alpha (GRO-alpha) was subsequently expressed after IL-6 production. Either IL-6 or GRO-alpha was time-dependently and strongly expressed in medium with and without serum. Neutralizing IL-6 significantly reduced GRO-alpha production. Inhibiting Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) spontaneously blocked GRO-alpha production with or without IL-6 stimulation. We conclude that primary human thymic epithelial cells produce GRO-alpha and that its expression is regulated primarily by autocrine IL-6 and IL-6-activated Jak2 signaling.
Tseng
Yau-Lin
YL
Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan. tsengyl@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Wu
Ming-Ho
MH
Yang
Hsin-Chiao
HC
Wang
Chi-Yun
CY
Lin
Chiou-Feng
CF
D019898:Autocrine Communication; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D053614:Janus Kinase 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism*
C475829:CXCL1 protein, human; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2