title: Autocrine IL-6 regulates GRO-alpha production in thymic epithelial cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan. tsengyl@mail.ncku.edu.tw
authors.forename: Yau-Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Ming-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsin-Chiao
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chi-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chiou-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: C475829:CXCL1 protein, human; D054360:Chemokine CXCL1; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2