脑不对称性对Balb/c小鼠海马 IL-6水平的影响

研究了Balb/c小鼠海马内细胞因子白细胞介素 6 (interleukin 6 ,IL 6 )含量与脑不对称的关系。实验采用伸爪取食法将小鼠区分为左利、右利和双利鼠 ,分别于腹腔注射细菌脂多糖 (Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)或无菌生理盐水 (Saline ,NS) ,2h后快速断头 ,冰上快速分离两侧海马 ,制备海马脑组织匀浆 ,用ELISA法测定海马中IL 6蛋白含量。结果表明 :正常对照组中海马IL 6水平为右利鼠明显高于左利鼠 (P =0 0 0 1) ,左利鼠又明显高于双利鼠 (P =0 0 0 1) ,两侧海马之间无明显差别 ;注射LPS 2h后 ,海马IL 6总体水平没有变化 ,只在右利小鼠右侧海马IL 6含量明显升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,明显高于左利 (P <0 0 0 1)和双利 (P <0 0 0 1) ,双利Balb/c小鼠两侧海马IL 6水平明显低于右利和左利小鼠。上述结果提示 ,在正常生理状态下及LPS刺激后引起的海马IL 6水平变化均与脑不对称性有关     

IL—18DNA免疫对HIV—1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应。酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01)。IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用。     

反义c－fos和c－jun抑制IL－1诱导阿片肽分泌

白细胞介素-1(IL-1)及阿片肽作为神经调质参与了神经细胞兴奋性毒性作用.以大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞为研究对象,探讨了IL-1、阿片肽和c-fos、c-jun表达产物之间的关系.结果表明,IL-1β能诱导大脑皮层神经细胞c-fos、c-jun mRNA瞬时短暂表达,15min增高,30min达高峰,c-fos mKNA 2h回至基线水平,c-jun mRNA 8h回至基线水平;联合应用c-fos、c-jun反义寡核苷酸能部分抑制IL-1诱导的大脑皮层神经细胞脑啡肽及β-内啡肽分泌增加,呈一定量效关系,相应意义寡核苷酸无抑制作用.提示IL-1促进大脑皮层神经细胞脑啡肽及β-内啡肽分泌作用部分受Fos和Jun蛋白调控.     

白细胞介素1与惊厥性脑损伤

白细胞介素1（IL－1）是重要的神经免疫介质。研究发现,惊厥后白细胞介素1β（IL－1β）,内源性白细胞介素1受体拮抗剂（IL－1ra)在脑内迅速增加,体内注射IL－1β可加重惊厥及神经元的损伤,而抑制β的作用,则惊厥及神经元损伤明显减轻,本文就近年来的研究进展,简要概括IL－1与惊厥性脑损伤及其神经保护作用的关系,IL－1在惊厥引起的脑损伤过程中的作用机制。     

IL—9及其受体的分子生物学

白细胞介素９是近年来发现的一种参与造血调控及免疫应答等诸多生理过程的细胞因子,本简介白细胞介素９及其受体的生物化学性质、基因结构与表达调控,概述其受体介导的细胞内信号传递过程。     

IL—5在非复制重组痘苗病毒中的表达及其对重组病毒免疫效效果的影响

利用非复制痘苗病毒表达载体pNEOCKβ751IL5和重组病毒RVJ123,通过两步重组构建了能同时表达IL－5和乙型肝炎病毒HBsAg的非复制型重组痘苗病毒RVJ123△11β75IL5。Southern-blot证实,痘苗病毒C－K片段间基因缺失的同时伴有IL－5基因的插入,鼻腔吸入分别免疫Balb/c小鼠和新西兰白兔。ELISPOT实验证实,免疫后两周小鼠肺淋巴细胞的抗HBsAgIgA抗分分泌细胞（ASC）数比对照组（RVJ123△11β75）增加约2倍,而同时小鼠肺淋巴细胞的抗HBsAgIgG抗体分泌细胞（ASC）数与对照组无差别。可在小鼠血液、肺浸出液以及新西兰白兔血液、肺浸出液、其它分泌液样品中检测到抗乙型肝炎病毒HBsAg的特异性的IgA,IgG抗体,与对照组相比,IgA抗体阳性转率及抗体滴度提高,而IgG则无差异。本实验说明：IL－5可在体内选择性地增强机体的粘膜IgA反应。提示非复制载体疫苗中,表达的该细胞因子有效的增强疫苗的的粘膜免疫反应,为粘膜疫苗的发展策略提供了新的途径。     

白细胞介素-18基因肌肉注射产生明显抗肿瘤作用(英文)

 为了探讨人白细胞介素 (h IL ) - 1 8基因转导的抗肿瘤作用 ,构建了 h IL- 1 8c DNA真核表达质粒载体 pc DNA3/h IL- 1 8.将 pc DNA3/h IL- 1 8经脂质体包裹 ,按照 1 0 0μg/只的剂量注射入雄性Balb/c小鼠后肢肌肉 ,在设定时间处死小鼠取注射部位肉提取总 RNA,应用半定量反转录聚合酶链反应 (RT- PCR)及免疫组化法检测了 h IL- 1 8m RNA及其蛋白质在小鼠肌肉中不同时间点的表达水平 .随后 30只雄性 Balb/c小鼠于基因注射后第 7d腹部皮下 (i.d.)或腹腔内 (i.p.)接种 1×1 0 5个同系小鼠 S- 1 80肉瘤细胞 .观察了 S- 1 80肿瘤细胞在腹腔及皮下的生长情况、小鼠体重、肿瘤重量及存活时间 .结果发现 ,pc DNA3/h IL- 1 8注射后 2 d能检测到 h IL- 1 8m RNA表达 ,第 7d表达量较高 ,第 2 8d仍有 h IL- 1 8m RNA表达 .免疫组化染色显示了注射部位散在有 h IL- 1 8蛋白质颗粒 .h IL- 1 8基因注射组小鼠体重、肿瘤重量均比对照组轻 (P值分别小于 0 .0 0 5、0 .0 5) ,存活时间比对照组延长 .结果显示 ,真核表达系统 pc DNA3/h IL - 1 8经脂质体包裹肌注后能有效表达 ,具有明显的抑制肿瘤生长作用 .     

反义c—fos和c—jun抑制IL—1诱导阿片肽分泌

白细胞介素（ＩＬ－１）及阿片肽作为神经调质参与了神经细胞兴奋性毒性作用,以大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞为研究对象,探讨了ＩＬ－１、阿片肽和ｃ－ｆｏｓ、ｃ－ｊｕｎ表达产物之间的关系,结果表明,ＩＬ－１β能诱导大脑皮层神经细胞ｃ－ｆｏｓ、ｃ－ｊｕｎ ｍＲＮＡ瞬时短暂表达,１５ｍｉｎ增高,３０ｍｉｎ达高峰,ｃ－ｆｏｓ ｍＲＮＡ ２ｈ回至基线水平,ｃ－ｊｕｎ ｍ ＲＮＡ ８ｈ回至基线水平;联合应用ｃ－ｆｏｓ,ｃ－     

融合蛋白pIL6-IL2在E.coli中的表达及活性鉴定

白细胞介素 2 (interleukin 2 ,IL-2 )与白细胞介素 6(interleukin 6,IL-6)能分别刺激T淋巴细胞增殖与B淋巴细胞分泌免疫球蛋白 ,从而促进动物机体的细胞免疫与体液免疫 ;另外IL2与IL6在发挥生物学活性时还有相互协同作用。因此 ,将去除信号肽的猪白细胞介素 6(pIL-6)与猪白细胞介素 2 (pIL-2 )cDNAs序列通过一段Linker相连 ,克隆到E .coli表达载体pPET-2 8a中。该融合蛋白IL6-IL2在E .coli表达菌BL2 1 (DE3)中获得成功表达 ,SDS-PAGE分析分子量约为40kDa ,表达量达到总菌体的 66.26%。用IL6依赖的B9细胞与IL2依赖的CTLL细胞增殖试验进行融合蛋白IL6 IL2的生物活性检测 ,其活性可分别达到 0.8× 10³U /mg和 6.4× 10³ U/mg。     

白细胞介素－2受体γ链研究新进展

白细胞介素－2受体γ链（interleukin-2 receptorγchain,IL-2Rγc）是约3年前发现的IL-2受体亚单位之一,它不但参与高、中亲和力IL-2R的形成,而且作为细胞因子受体超家族成员参与IL－4、IL－7、IL－9和IL－15受体以及可能的IL－13受体功能性复合物的形成．IL-2Rγc基因结构与功能和蛋白质分子结构以及染色体定位已阐明．IL-2Rγc及信号传导的异常导致人类Ｘ染色体连锁重度联合免疫缺陷病(X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency XSCID)．因此,阐明IL-2Rγc在生理及病理状态下的生物学作用,对了解淋巴细胞的生长发育和分化成熟、免疫应答及其调控等问题都有重要的指导意义．     

Effects of IL-10 and age on IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha responses in mouse skeletal and cardiac muscle to an acute inflammatory insult.

Exaggerated proinflammatory cytokine responses can be observed with aging, and reduced levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 may contribute to these responses. IL-10 can reduce IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha expression in nonmuscle tissues; however, no studies have examined the combined effects of IL-10 and age on cytokine responses in skeletal and cardiac muscle. These experiments tested the hypothesis that the absence of IL-10, in vivo, is associated with greater IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta responses to an inflammatory challenge in skeletal and cardiac muscle and that aging exaggerates these responses. We compared IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha mRNA and protein levels in skeletal and cardiac muscle of young (4 mo) and mature (10-11 mo) wild-type (IL-10(+/+)) and IL-10 deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice following LPS. Skeletal and cardiac IL-6 mRNA and protein were elevated by LPS for IL-10(+/+) and IL-10(-/-) mice with greater responses in the IL-10(-/-) mice (P < 0.01). In skeletal muscle these effects were greater in mature than young mice (P < 0.01). IL-1beta mRNA and protein responses to LPS were greater in cardiac muscle of young but not mature IL-10(-/-) mice compared with IL-10(+/+) (P < 0.01). However, IL-1beta responses were greater in mature than young mice, but only in IL-10(+/+) groups (P < 0.05). The absence of IL-10 was associated with higher TNF-alpha protein levels in cardiac muscle (P < 0.05). The results provide the first in vivo evidence that the absence of IL-10 is associated with a greater IL-6 response to LPS in skeletal and cardiac muscles, and in skeletal muscle aging further exaggerates these responses.     

Activation of neutral sphingomyelinase by IL-1beta requires the type 1 interleukin 1 receptor

The cytokine interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) plays an important role in host defence reactions and neuro-immune interactions but it is still not clear which of the two interleukin 1 receptor subtypes is coupled to activation of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) by IL-1beta. To investigate involvement of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) in central IL-1beta effects we used P(2)fractions of brain cerebral cortex from wild-type mice and mice deficient in the type 1 IL-1 receptor. IL-1beta (human, recombinant) was shown to activate, in a dose-dependent manner, nSMase in the P(2)brain fraction of the wild-type mice while in the knock-out mice the stimulatory effect of IL-1beta on nSMase was absent. In the presence of an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-1beta did not activate nSMase either in the cortex of wild-type or knock-out mice. These data suggest that nSMase, a key enzyme of the sphingomyelin signal transduction pathway, might be involved in IL-1beta signalling in the brain and that activation of the enzyme requires the IL-1 receptor type 1.     

Modulation of IL-1 inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties by IL-6.

Among the major cytokines present in inflammatory lesions interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) share many biological activities. Since IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF alpha have been previously demonstrated to play an important role in connective tissue destruction by stimulating the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and collagenase, these functions were investigated in the presence or absence of natural human IL-6 (nhIL-6) or recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6). IL-6 was found 1 degree to stimulate immunoglobulin A production by the CESS B cell line up to 19 fold without being affected by the presence of IL-1 beta and 2 degrees to stimulate murine thymocytes proliferation up to 2-4 fold, with an increase up to 60-fold in costimulation with either IL-1 alpha or beta. IL-6 alone, even at very high concentrations (up to 200 U/ml and 50 ng/ml), did not induce PGE2 production by fibroblasts and synovial cells. However, IL-1 alpha or beta induced PGE2 production by human dermal fibroblasts and by human synovial cells was inhibited (in 5/8 experiments) up to 62% by addition of IL-6. On the contrary in 2/4 experiments TNF alpha-induced PGE2 production was increased (approximately 2 fold) by the addition of IL-6. IL-1 and TNF alpha-induced collagenase production in synovial cells remained unchanged in the presence of IL-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interleukin-1beta targets interleukin-6 in progressing dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immunologically mediated disorder that is characterized by chronic, relapsing, and inflammatory responses. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice has been recognized as a useful model for human IBD and interleukin (IL)-1beta is a key cytokine in the onset of IBD. The purpose of the present study was to clarify which pro-inflammatory mediators are targeted by IL-1beta in mice with DSS-induced colitis. First, we found that DSS markedly induced IL-1beta production in both dose- and time-dependent manners (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) in murine peritoneal macrophages (pMphi), while that of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was insignificant. Further, the expressions of mRNA and protein for IL-1beta were increased in colonic mucosa and pMphi from mice that received drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days (P < 0.01, each). In addition, the expressions of IL-6, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA were also time dependently increased (P < 0.01, each). Furthermore, administration of rIL-1beta (10 microg/kg, i.p.) significantly induced the expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA in colonic mucosa from non-treated mice (P < 0.01). Anti-mIL-1beta antibody treatments (50 microg/kg, i.p.) attenuated DSS-induced body weight reduction and shortening of the colorectum (P < 0.05, each), and abrogated the expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA in colonic mucosa (P < 0.01, each). Our results evidently support the previous findings that IL-1beta is involved in the development of DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice, and strongly suggest that IL-1beta targets itself and IL-6 for progressing colonic inflammation.     

Differential regulation of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha RNA expression by MEK1 inhibitor after focal cerebral ischemia in mice

Activation of the extracellular-signal-responsive kinase (ERK 1/2) by MAP kinase/ERK kinase (MEK1/2) following ischemia/reperfusion in the brain has been associated with cell death since inhibition of MEK1/2 provides neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia injury. Since inflammation has been implicated in ischemic brain injury, the present study investigated whether MEK1/2 modifies expression of two key inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNFalpha, that have been shown to exacerbate ischemic brain injury. A mouse model of transient cerebral ischemia was deployed to test the effect of selective MEK1/2 inhibitor (SL327) on infarct size and cytokine expression. SL327 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) administered 15 min prior to ischemia resulted in 64% reduction in infarct size over controls (n = 8, P < 0.01). Under the same condition, SL327 significantly reduced peak expression of IL-1beta mRNA (59% reduction compared to vehicle, P < 0.01, n = 4) but not TNF-alpha mRNA. A parallel reduction in IL-1beta protein (67%, P < 0.05, n = 6) was also observed using ELISA analysis. These data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of MEK1/2 inhibition may be mediated by suppression of IL-1beta. The study also demonstrates for the first time that these two cytokines are differentially regulated by kinase mediated signaling pathways.     

Identification of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a discriminatory marker of the hepatocyte-secreted protein response to IL-1beta: a proteomic analysis

The liver is the major source of proteins used throughout the body for various functions. Upon injury or infection, an acute phase response (APR) is initiated in the liver that is primarily mediated by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6. Among others, the APR is characterized by an altered protein synthetic profile. We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to study the dynamics of changes in protein synthesis in hepatocytes exposed to these inflammatory cytokines. Protein profiles were quantified using image analysis and further analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Our results indicate that IL-1beta and IL-6 each induces secreted protein responses with distinct dynamics and dose-dependence. Parallel stimulation by IL-1beta and IL-6 results in a protein pattern indistinguishable from the IL-1beta pattern, indicating a dominant effect of IL-1beta over IL-6 at the doses tested. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) of correlation distances between protein secretion levels revealed two protein pairs that are robustly co-secreted across the various cytokine stimulation conditions, suggesting shared regulatory pathways. Finally, we also used multivariate alternating conditional expectation (MACE) to identify transformation functions that discriminated the cytokine-stimulated and untreated hepatocyte-secreted protein profiles. Our analysis indicates that the expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was sufficient to discriminate between IL-1beta and IL-6 stimulation. The combination of proteomics and multivariate analysis is expected to provide new information on the cellular regulatory networks involved in generating specific cellular responses.     

Lack of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Enhances Susceptibility to Infection but Does Not Alter Latency or Reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in IL-6 Knockout Mice

The ability of the pleotropic, proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) to affect the replication, latency, and reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in cell culture and in IL-6 knockout (KO) mice was studied. In initial studies, we found no effect of exogenous IL-6, monoclonal antibodies to IL-6, or monoclonal antibody to the IL-6 coreceptor, gp130, on HSV-1 replication in vitro by plaque assay or reactivation ex vivo by explant cocultivation of latently infected murine trigeminal ganglia (TG). Compared with the wild-type (WT) mice, the IL-6 KO mice were less able to survive an ocular challenge with 10(5) PFU of HSV-1 (McKrae) (40% survival of WT and 7% survival KO mice; P = 0.01). There was a sixfold higher 50% lethal dose of HSV-1 in WT than IL-6 KO mice (1.7 x 10(4) and 2.7 x 10(3) PFU, respectively). No differences were observed in titers of virus recovered from the eyes, TG, or brains or in the rates of virus reactivation by explant cocultivation of TG from latently infected WT or KO mice. Exposure of latently infected mice to UV light resulted in comparable rates of reactivation and in the proportions of WT and KO animals experiencing reactivation. Moreover, quantitative PCR assays showed nearly identical numbers of HSV-1 genomes in latently infected WT and IL-6 KO mice. These studies indicate that while IL-6 plays a role in the protection of mice from lethal HSV infection, it does not substantively influence HSV replication, spread to the nervous system, establishment of latency, or reactivation.     

The role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in IL-6 and IL-8 production from the TNF-alpha- or IL-1beta-stimulated rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts

We examined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)- or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in fresh rheumatoid synovial fibroblast (RSF) cultures concomitantly with the induction of p38 MAP kinase activity. Pretreatment of RSF with a specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580, blocked the induction of IL-6 and IL-8 without affecting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) or IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels. These findings suggest that p38 MAP kinase inhibitor may have synergistic, rather than additive, effect for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

TGF-beta and IL-10 regulation of IFN-gamma produced in Th2-type schistosome granulomas requires IL-12

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulate CD4+ T cell interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion in schistosome granulomas. The role of IL-12 was determined using C57BL/6 and CBA mice. C57BL/6 IL-4-/- granuloma cells were stimulated to produce IFN-gamma when cultured with IL-10 or TGF-beta neutralizing monoclonal antibody. In comparison, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) control granuloma cells produced less IFN-gamma. IL-12, IL-18, and soluble egg antigen stimulated IFN-gamma release from C57BL/6 IL-4-/- and WT mice. IFN-gamma production in C57 IL-4-/- and WT granulomas was IL-12 dependent, because IL-12 blockade partly abrogated IFN-gamma secretion after stimulation. All granuloma cells released IL-12 (p70 and p40), and IL-12 production remained constant after anti-TGF-beta, anti-IL-10, recombinant IL-18, or antigen stimulation. C57 WT and IL-4-/- mouse granuloma cells expressed IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) beta1-subunit mRNA but little beta2 mRNA. TGF-beta or IL-10 blockade did not influence beta1 or beta2 mRNA expression. CBA mouse dispersed granuloma cells released no measurable IFN-gamma, produced IL-12 p70 and little p40, and expressed IL-12R beta2 and little beta1 mRNA. In T helper 2 (Th2) granulomas of C57BL/6 WT and IL-4-/- mice, cells produce IL-12 (for IFN-gamma production) and IL-10 and TGF-beta modulate IFN-gamma secretion via mechanisms independent of IL-12 and IL-12R mRNA regulation. We found substantial differences in control of granuloma IFN-gamma production and IL-12 circuitry in C57BL/6 and CBA mice.     

Differential inflammatory activation of IL-6 (-/-) astrocytes

IL-6 is a major immunomodulatory cytokine with neuroprotective activity. The absence of interleukin-6 (IL-6) results in increased vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons to the neurotoxicant, MPTP, and a compromised reactive microgliosis. To determine how astrogliosis may contribute to nigrostriatal degeneration in IL-6 (-/-) mice, the inflammatory profiles of astrocytes of IL-6 genotype were compared. Fourteen cytokines and four chemokines were simultaneously assayed in the supernatants of LPS-stimulated primary astrocyte cultures. In a time course of 6, 18 and 48 h and LPS stimulations of 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml, IL-6 (-/-) astrocytes secreted significantly greater amounts of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and TNFalpha than did IL-6 (+/+) cells. Elevated levels of IL-10 and IL-12p40 were only detected at 48 h post-stimulation with greater IL-10 in IL-6 (-/-) supernatants and greater IL-12p40 in IL-6 (+/+) supernatants. IL-6 (+/+) astrocytes produced more G-CSF and GM-CSF when compared with IL-6 (-/-) astrocytes. Chemokine levels were greater in supernatants of IL-6 (+/+) astrocytes than IL-6 (-/-) cells prior to 48 h post-stimulation. At that time, higher levels of MIP-1alpha were maintained in IL-6 (+/+) supernatant, while similar levels of MCP-1 in supernatants of both IL-6 (+/+) and IL-6 (-/-) cells were measured. Additionally, LPS (100 ng/ml) resulted in greater levels of KC and Rantes in IL-6 (-/-) astrocyte supernatants compared with IL-6 (+/+) supernatants at that time. These results suggest that the autocrine modulatory activities of IL-6 affect multiple cytokine secretory pathways, which could participate in neurodegenerative processes.