Role of IL-6 trans-signaling in CCl4 induced liver damage

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in liver regeneration and protection against liver damage. In addition to IL-6 classic signaling via membrane bound receptor (mIL-6R), IL-6 signaling can also be mediated by soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) thereby activating cells that do not express membrane bound IL-6R. This process has been named trans-signaling. IL-6 trans-signaling has been demonstrated to operate during liver regeneration. We have developed methods to specifically block or mimic IL-6 trans-signaling. A soluble gp130 protein (sgp130Fc) exclusively inhibits IL-6 trans-signaling whereas an IL-6/sIL-6R fusion protein (Hyper-IL-6) mimics IL-6 trans-signaling. Using these tools we investigate the role of IL-6 trans-signaling in CCl₄ induced liver damage. Blockade of IL-6 trans-signaling during CCl₄ induced liver damage led to higher liver damage, although induction of Cyp4502E1 and thus bioactivation of CCl₄ was unchanged. Depletion of neutrophils resulted in reduced liver transaminase levels irrespective of IL-6 trans-signaling blockade. Furthermore, IL-6 trans-signaling was important for refilling of hepatocyte glycogen stores, which were depleted 24 h after CCl₄ treatment. We conclude that IL-6 trans-signaling via the soluble IL-6R is important for the physiologic response of the liver to CCl₄ induced chemical damage.