hIL-6与其受体作用的结构基础及拮抗剂的研究进展

通过对大量的分子生物学实验及晶体衍射结果的分析 ,从分子水平揭示人白细胞介素 6(hIL 6 )与其受体相互作用的结构模式及结合表位 .hIL 6属于促红细胞生成素受体超家族 ,首先和hIL 6受体α低亲和力结合 ,两者形成的复合物再与hIL 6受体 β(gp130 )的胞外区相互作用形成高亲和力三聚体 ,但是hIL 6不能单独和gp130结合 ,需要借助于hIL 6受体α的桥梁作用才能将二者联系起来进而促进六聚体的形成 .hIL 6是一种能够介导细胞表面信号转导 ,调节机体免疫及造血干细胞增殖和分化的细胞因子 ,许多疾病的发病机理及发展进程都和hIL 6过表达有关 .基于对hIL 6与其受体相互作用方式的探究 ,为hIL 6小分子拮抗剂的药物设计提供了理论模型 ,在此基础上已研究开发了许多不同种类的hIL 6新型分子拮抗剂 ,其中部分拮抗剂已应用于临床指导 .     

Receptors for interleukin-13 and interleukin-4 are complex and share a novel component that functions in signal transduction.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) are two cytokines that are secreted by activated T cells and have similar effects on monocytes and B cells. We describe a mutant form of human interleukin-4 (hIL-4) that competitively antagonizes both hIL-4 and human interleukin-13 (hIL-13). The amino acid sequences of IL-4 and IL-13 are approximately 30% homologous and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy shows that both proteins have a highly alpha-helical structure. IL-13 competitively inhibited binding of hIL-4 to functional human IL-4 receptors (called hIL-4R) expressed on a cell line which responds to both hIL-4 and IL-13. Binding of hIL-4 to an hIL-4 responsive cell line that does not respond to IL-13, and binding of hIL-4 to cloned IL-4R ligand binding protein expressed on heterologous cells, were not inhibited by IL-13. hIL-4 bound with approximately 100-fold lower affinity to the IL-4R ligand binding protein than to functional IL-4R. The mutant hIL-4 antagonist protein bound to both IL-4R types with the lower affinity. The above results demonstrate that IL-4 and IL-13 share a receptor component that is important for signal transduction. In addition, our data establish that IL-4R is a complex of at least two components one of which is a novel affinity converting subunit that is critical for cellular signal transduction.     

人IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合分子模型的建立及在药物筛选中的应用

目的：建立人IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合的分子模型,用于筛选IL-6 /sIL-6R的抑制剂。方法：将人IL-6基因克隆至原核表达载体pET28a（+）中表达IL-6蛋白,western blot及人IL-6检测试剂盒分析鉴定表达蛋白。同法将人sIL-6R在pET15b载体中表达,纯化并用western blot检测目的蛋白。依据ELISA原理建立IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合的分子模型,并通过改变IL-6、sIL-6R及IL-6 antibody的浓度来优化该模型,用于IL-6 /sIL-6R拮抗药物的筛选。结果：人IL-6可在载体PET28a（+）中高效表达,且经western blot鉴定正确,人IL-6检测试剂盒检测显示具有较高的免疫活性。sIL-6R在PET15b中表达,western blot鉴定正确。通过对IL-6 /sIL-6R结合的分子模型的优化,得到其最佳条件为：IL-6R 1?g/well, IL-6 500ng/well, IL-6 antibody 1?g/well。应用该模型筛选发现有些化合物可显著抑制IL-6与其受体的结合。结论：成功构建IL-6 /sIL-6R结合的分子模型,为高通量筛选IL-6拮抗剂提供平台。     

Binding of anti-human-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibodies to synthetic peptides of human interleukin-6 studied using surface plasmon resonance.

Biosensor technology employing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection provides a highly-sensitive (sub ng), non-extrinsic labelling approach for monitoring protein interactions in real-time. We have used this approach to map the binding sites on human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) for a series of anti-hIL-6 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Epitopes were localised by monitoring the ability of ten synthetic peptides, spanning the sequence of hIL-6, to inhibit the binding of anti-hIL-6 mAbs to immobilised hIL-6. Peptide P8 (Pro139-Gln153) inhibited binding of anti-IL-6-mAbs 1, 2 and 7. To increase the sensitivity of detection of antibody-synthetic peptide interactions, a procedure was developed for immobilising the synthetic peptides directly to the sensor surface of the SPR instrument. From this study, association equilibrium constants of 2.1 x 10(6)M-1 and 3.6 x 10(4)M-1 were calculated for the mAb7-immobilised P8 and mAb7-free P8 interactions, respectively.     

Prediction on the binding domain between human interleukin-6 and its receptor

Based on the spatial conformations of human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) derived from nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and human interleukin-6 receptor (hIL-6R) modeled with homology modeling method using human growth hormone receptor as template, the interaction between hIL-6 and its receptor (hIL-6R) is studied with docking program according to the surface electrostatic potential analysis and spatial conformation complement. The stable region structure composed of hIL-6 and hIL-6R is obtained on the basis of molecular mechanism optimization and molecular dynamics simulation. The binding domain between hIL-6 and hIL-6R is predicted theoretically. Furthermore, the especial binding sites that influence the interaction between hIL-6 and hIL-6R are confirmed. The results lay a theoretical foundation for confirming the active regions of hIL-6 and designing novel antagonist with computer-guided techniques.     

In vivo neutralization of human IL-6 (hIL-6) achieved by immunization of hIL-6-transgenic mice with a hIL-6 receptor antagonist

Neutralization of IL-6 represents an attractive therapeutic option in several diseases, including B cell neoplasia, osteoporosis, and autoimmunity. Therapeutic attempts in humans have shown that administration of injectable doses of a mAb to IL-6 does not provide efficient neutralization of the cytokine in vivo. Therefore, alternative approaches are needed. In this study, we evaluated whether the Ab response to human IL-6 (hIL-6) elicited by vaccination with Sant1 (a hIL-6 variant with seven amino acid substitutions) was able to fully correct in vivo the clinical and biological effects of a chronic endogenous overproduction of hIL-6 in the hIL-6-transgenic NSE/hIL-6 mice. Because of the overexpression of hIL-6, occurring since birth, with circulating levels in the nanogram per milliliter range, NSE/hIL-6 mice have a marked decrease in growth rate, associated with decrease in insulin-like growth factor I levels, and represent an animal model of the growth impairment associated with human chronic inflammatory diseases. Following immunization with Sant1, but not with hIL-6, NSE/hIL-6 mice developed high titers of polyclonal Abs to hIL-6. The Abs, acquired by transplacental transfer, effectively neutralized IL-6 activities in vivo as shown by the complete correction of the growth defect and normalization of insulin-like growth factor levels in the hIL-6-transgenic offspring. Immunization with Sant1 could therefore represent a novel and simple therapeutic approach for the specific neutralization of IL-6 in humans.     

Prediction on the binding domain between human interleukin-6 and its receptor

Based on the spatial conformations of human interleukin-6 (hlL-6) derived from nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and human interleukin-6 receptor (hlL-6R) modeled with homology modeling method using human growth hormone receptor as template, the interaction between hlL-6 and its receptor (hIL-6R) is studied with docking program according to the surface electrostatic potential analysis and spatial conformation complement. The stable region structure composed of hlL-6 and hlL-6R is obtained on the basis of molecular mechanism optimization and molecular dynamics simulation. The binding domain between hIL-6 and hIL-6R is predicted theoretically. Furthermore, the especial binding sites that influence the interaction between hlL-6 and hlL-6R are confirmed. The results lay a theoretical foundation for confirming the active regions of hlL-6 and designing novel antagonist with computer-guided techniques.     

The rational designed antagonist derived from the complex structure of interleukin-6 and its receptor affectively blocking interleukin-6 might be a promising treatment in multiple myeloma

Human interleukin-6 is involved in the maintenance and progression of several diseases such as multiple myeloma (MM), rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoporosis. Our previous work demonstrated that an interleukin-6 antagonist peptide (named PT) possessed potential bioactivity to antagonize the function of hIL-6 and could efficiently induce the growth arrest and apoptosis of XG-7 and M1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, the theoretical interaction of the peptide PT with its receptor was analyzed further more with molecular docking and molecular dynamics methods. The theoretical studies showed that PT possessed very high affinity to interleukin-6R and offered a practical means of imposing long-term blockade of interleukin-6 activity in vivo. According to the theoretical results, the biological evaluation of PT was researched on two different cells models with more sensitive approaches: (1) The antagonist activity of PT was studied on the interleukin-6 dependent MM cells (XG-7) cultured with interleukin-6. In the other interleukin-6 dependent MM cells (SKO-007), they survived themselves by auto/paracrine without the exogenous interleukin-6, and also could be antagonized by PT. The therapeutic value of PT only limited on the interleukin-6 dependent category in MM. (2) Myeloid leukemia M1 cells were induced for growth arrest and apoptosis in response to interleukin-6. The results supported our previous findings and showed that PT could be evaluated by protecting the cells from interleukin-6 induced apoptosis. In conclusion, PT could induce interleukin-6-dependent XG-7 and SKO-007 cells to apoptosis while inhibit interleukin-6-stimulated apoptosis in M1 cells.     

Identification of amino acid residues of gp130 signal transducer and gp80 alpha receptor subunit that are involved in ligand binding and signaling by human herpesvirus 8-encoded interleukin-6

Human herpesvirus 8-encoded interleukin-6 (vIL-6) signals through the gp130 signal transducer but is not dependent on the IL-6 receptor alpha subunit (IL-6R, gp80) that is required for signaling by endogenous IL-6 proteins; however, IL-6R can enhance vIL-6 activity and can enable signaling through a gp130 variant, gp130.PM5, that is itself unable to support vIL-6 signaling. These findings suggest that the vIL-6-gp130 interactions are qualitatively different from those of human IL-6 (hIL-6) and that vIL-6 signaling may be more promiscuous than that of hIL-6 but that IL-6R may play a role in vIL-6 signaling in vivo. To examine the receptor binding requirements of vIL-6, we have undertaken mutational analyses of regions of gp130 and IL-6R potentially involved in interactions with ligand or in functional complex formation and used these variants in functional, ligand-binding, and receptor dimerization assays. The data presented identify positions within two interstrand loops of the gp130 cytokine-receptor homology domain that are important for vIL-6 signaling and vIL-6-induced receptor dimerization and show that vIL-6, like hIL-6, can form complexes with IL-6R and gp130 but that the roles of putative cytokine-binding residues of IL-6R in ligand-induced functional complex formation are qualitatively different in the case of vIL-6 and hIL-6.     

Cyclic peptide interleukin 5 antagonists mimic CD turn recognition epitope for receptor alpha

The cyclic peptide AF17121 (Ac-VDECWRIIASHTWFCAEE) that inhibits interleukin 5 (IL-5) function and IL-5 receptor alpha-chain (IL-5Ralpha) binding has been derived from recombinant random peptide library screening and follow-up synthetic variation. To better understand the structural basis of its antagonist activity, AF17121 and a series of analogs of the parent peptide were prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis. Sequence variation was focused on the charged residues Asp(2), Glu(3), Arg(6), Glu(17), and Glu(18). Two of those residues, Glu(3) and Arg(6), form an EXXR motif that was found to be common among library-derived IL-5 antagonists. The E and R in the EXXR motif have a proximity similar to charged residues in a previously identified receptor alpha binding region, the beta-strand between the C- and D-helices of human IL-5. Optical biosensor interaction kinetics and cell proliferation assays were used to evaluate the antagonist activities of the purified synthetic peptides, by measuring competition with the highly active single chain IL-5. Analogs in which acidic residues (Asp(2), Glu(3), Glu(17), and Glu(18)) were replaced individually by Ala retained substantial competition activity, with multiple replacements in these residues leading to fractional loss of potency at most. In contrast, R6A analogs had strongly reduced competition activity. The results reveal that the arginine residue is crucial for the IL-5Ralpha binding of AF17121, while the acidic residues are not essential though likely complex-stabilizing particularly in the Asp(2)-Glu(3) region. By CD, AF17121 exhibited mostly disordered structure with evidence for a small beta-sheet content, and replacement of the arginine had no influence on the observed secondary structure of the peptides. The dominance of Arg(6) in AF17121 activity corresponds to previous findings of dominance of the positive charge balance in the antiparallel beta-sheet of IL-5 composed of (88)EERRR(92) in one strand of the CD turn region of IL-5 and with Arg(32) in the neighboring beta-strand. These results argue that AF17121 and related library-derived peptides function by mimicking the CD turn receptor alpha recognition epitope in IL-5 and open the way to small molecule antagonist design.     

Viral Interleukin-6: Structure, pathophysiology and strategies of neutralization

Viral Interleukin-6 (vIL-6) is encoded by Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpes virus (KSHV). HHV8 infection is found in patients with KS, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and plasma cell-type of multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), with a high incidence observed in HIV infected individuals. vIL-6 shares about 25% identity with its human counterpart. Human IL-6 (hIL-6) binds to the human IL-6 receptor (hIL-6R) and the hIL-6/hIL-6R complex associates with the signaling receptor subunit gp130. Upon dimerization of gp130 intracellular signaling is initiated. All cells in the body express gp130 but only some cell types express the hIL-6R. Human IL-6 does not stimulate cells, which do not express hIL-6R. However, a naturally occurring soluble form of the hIL-6R (shIL-6R) can bind hIL-6 and the complex of hIL-6/shIL-6R can stimulate cells, which only express gp130 but no hIL-6R. This process, which has been named trans-signaling, leads to a dramatic increase in the spectrum of hIL-6 target cells during inflammation and cancer. vIL-6, in contrast to hIL-6, can directly bind to and activate gp130 without the need of the hIL-6R. Therefore, at least in theory, vIL-6 can stimulate every cell in the human body. This review highlights the properties of vIL-6 regarding structural features, implications for pathophysiology, and strategies of neutralization. Furthermore, mechanisms of activation of gp130 by hIL-6, vIL-6, and by forced dimerization will be discussed.     

A family of leukemia inhibitory factor-binding peptides that can act as antagonists when conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol)

A panel of six na?ve 14-residue random peptide libraries displayed polyvalently on M13 phage was pooled and sorted against human leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). After four rounds of selection, a single large family of peptides with the consensus sequence XCXXXXG(A/S)(D/E)(W/F)WXCF was found to bind specifically to LIF. Peptides within this family did not bind related members of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, nor to murine LIF that has 80% sequence identity with human LIF. A representative peptide from this family was synthesized and found to bind to LIF with an affinity of approximately 300 nM. The phage-displayed form of this peptide was able to compete with the LIF receptor alpha chain (LIFR) for binding to LIF; however, the free synthetic peptide was unable to inhibit LIF-LIFR binding or inhibit LIF bioactivity in vitro. Using a panel of human/murine chimeric LIF molecules, the peptide-binding site on LIF was mapped to a groove located between the B and the C helices of the LIF structure, which is distinct from the surfaces involved in binding to receptor. To mimic the effect of the phage particle and convert the free peptide into an antagonist of LIFR binding, a 40 kDa poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) moiety was conjugated to the synthetic LIF-binding peptide. This PEG-peptide conjugate was found to be both an antagonist of LIF-LIFR binding and of LIF signaling in engineered Ba/F3 cells expressing LIFR and the gp130 coreceptor.     

Altered expression of inflammatory cytokine receptors in response to LPS challenge through interaction between intestinal epithelial cells and lymphocytes of Peyer's patch

The intense innate immunological activities occurring at the enteric mucosal surface involve interactions between intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells. Our previous studies have indicated that Peyer's patch lymphocytes may modulate intestinal epithelial barrier and ion transport function in homeostasis and host defense via cell-cell contact as well as cytokine signaling. The present study was undertaken using the established co-culture system of Caco-2 epithelial cells with lymphocytes of Peyer's patch to investigate the expression of IL-8 and IL-6 cytokines and cytokine receptors in the co-culture system after challenge with Shigella F2a-12 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The human colonic epithelial cell line Caco-2 was co-cultured with freshly isolated lymphocytes from the murine Peyer's patch either in the mixed or separated (isolated but permeable compartments) co-culture configuration, and was challenged with Shigella F2a-12 LPS for 8 h. The level of mRNA expressions of human interleukin-8 (hIL-8), human interleukin-8 receptor (hIL-8R), mouse interleukin-8 receptor (mIL-8R), mouse interleukin-6 (mIL-6), mouse interleukin-6 receptor (mIL-6R) and human interleukin-6 receptor (hIL-6R) was examined by semi-quantitative PCR. In both co-culture groups, hIL-8 expression of Caco-2 cells was decreased, and hIL-8R expression was increased compared to the Caco-2 alone group. Upon LPS challenge, hIL-8 expression from the Caco-2 cells of both co-culture groups was higher than in the Caco-2 control group. The increased hIL-8 expression of Caco-2 cells in the separated co-culture group is correlated with a decreased hIL-8R expression and an increased mIL-8R expression. In the mixed co-culture group, the increased expression of hIL-8 was associated with the upregulated hIL-8R expression on Caco-2 cells and downregulated mIL-8R on murine Peyer's patch lymphocytes (PPL). mIL-6 expression from mouse PPL was also upregulated by LPS in mixed co-culture. However, upon the treatment with LPS, hIL-6R expression of Caco-2 cells was decreased in the mixed co-culture, but increased in separated co-culture. The data suggest that release of hIL-8 from epithelial cells may act on lymphocytes through a paracrine pathway, but it may also act on the epithelial cells themselves via an autocrine pathway. The data also suggest that the release of mIL-6 from Peyer's patch lymphocytes affects epithelial cells in a paracrine fashion.     

Detailed analysis of the IL-5-IL-5R alpha interaction: characterization of crucial residues on the ligand and the receptor.

The receptor for interleukin-5 (IL-5) is composed of two different subunits. The IL-5 receptor alpha (IL-5R alpha) is required for ligand-specific binding while association with the beta-chain results in increased binding affinity. Murine IL-5 (mIL-5) has similar activity on human and murine cells, whereas human IL-5 (hIL-5) has marginal activity on murine cells. We found that the combined substitution of K84 and N108 on hIL-5 by their respective murine counterpart yields a molecule which is as potent as mIL-5 for growth stimulation of a murine cell line. Since the unidirectional species specificity is due only to the interaction with the IL-5R alpha subunit, we have used chimeric IL-5R alpha molecules to define regions of hIL-5R alpha involved in species-specific hIL-5 ligand binding. We found that this property is largely determined by the NH2-terminal module of hIL-5R alpha, and detailed analysis defined D56 and to a lesser extent E58 as important for binding. Moreover, two additional residues, D55 and Y57, were identified by alanine scanning mutagenesis within the same region. Based on the observed homology between the NH2-terminal module and the membrane proximal (WSXWS-containing) module of hIL-5R alpha we located this stretch of four amino acid residues (D55, D56, Y57 and E58) in the loop region that connects the C and D beta-strands on the proposed tertiary structure of the NH2-terminal module.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mapping of the interleukin-10/interleukin-10 receptor combining site.

The discontinuous interleukin-10(IL-10)/interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) combining site was mapped using sets of overlapping peptides derived from both binding partners bound to continuous cellulose membranes. Low affinity binding of single regions of the discontinuous contact sites on IL-10 and IL-10R could be identified due to (1) high peptide density on the membrane support, (2) incubation with high protein concentrations, (3) indirect immunodetection of the ligates after electrotransfer onto polyvinylene difluoride membranes, and (4) use of highly overlapping peptide scans of different length (6-mers and 15-mers). The single binding regions identified for each protein species are separated in the protein sequences, but form continuous areas on the surface of IL-10 (X-ray structure) and IL-10R (computer model). Furthermore, four epitopes of neutralizing anti-IL-10 and anti-IL-10R antibodies were mapped and overlap with these binding regions. Soluble peptides (15- to 19-mers) each spanning one of the three identified IL-10-derived receptor binding regions displayed no significant affinity to IL-10R as expected, whereas a peptide (35-mer) comprising two of these regions had considerably higher binding activity. The data are consistent with a previously published computer model of the IL-10/IL-10R complex. This approach should be generally applicable for the mapping of non-linear protein-protein contact sites.     

X-ray crystal structure of a small antagonist peptide bound to interleukin-1 receptor type 1

Interleukin (IL-1)alpha and IL-1beta are important mediators of inflammation. The binding of IL-1 to interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) type 1 is the initial step in IL-1 signal transduction and therefore is a tempting target for anti-inflammatory therapeutics. To advance our understanding of IL-1R1 binding interactions, we have determined the structure of the extracellular domains of IL-1R1 bound to a 21-amino acid IL-1 antagonist peptide at 3.0-A resolution. The antagonist peptide binds to the domain 1/2 junction of the receptor, which is a conserved binding site for IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). This co-crystal structure also reveals that considerable flexibility is present in IL-1R1 because the carboxyl-terminal domain of the receptor is rotated almost 170 degrees relative to the first two domains of the receptor compared with the previously solved IL-1R1.ligand structures. The structure shows an unexpected binding mode for the peptide and may contribute to the design of smaller IL-1R antagonists.     

Reversal of some viral IL-6 electrostatic properties compared to IL-6 contributes to a loss of alpha receptor component recruitment

Human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) is a pleiotropic mediator of activation and proliferation across a large number of different cell types. Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) has been associated with classical and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). HHV-8 encodes viral IL-6 (vIL-6), a functional homolog of human interleukin-6, that promotes the growth of KS and of some lymphoma cells. Signaling induced by human IL-6 requires recruitment of the glycoprotein gp130, which acts as the signal transducing chain, and of IL-6Ralpha, which is necessary for cognate recognition and high affinity receptor complex formation. In contrast, the formation of a functional complex between vIL-6 and gp130 does not require the presence of IL-6Ralpha. The physico-chemical properties of vIL-6 have been analyzed and compared to those of hIL-6 and of the receptor chains, gp130 and IL-6Ralpha. Interaction sites on vIL-6 involve more hydrophobic residues than those of hIL-6. The electrostatic fields induced by vIL-6 and IL-6Ralpha are repulsive and prevent interaction between vIL-6 and IL-6Ralpha, whereas the electrostatic field induced by hIL-6 steers the complex formation with IL-6Ralpha. Subsequently, electrostatic binding free energy in the vIL-6/IL-6Ralpha complex is destabilizing, whereas it is stabilizing in the complex comprising hIL-6. These properties result from charge reversals between viral and human IL-6, an unusual phenomenon of amino acid substitutions within a homologous protein family. This suggests a selection pressure for vIL-6 to by-pass the IL-6Ralpha control of host defense against virus infection. This selection pressure has yielded the reversal of electrostatic properties of vIL-6 when compared to hIL-6.     

Comparative activity of Sant7 and anti-IL-6, IL-6R monoclonal antibodies in a murine model of B-cell lymphoma

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. This work describes the effects of the recombinant or adenovirally-delivered IL-6 superantagonist Sant7, anti-IL-6 and IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies in a severe murine model of human B-cell lymphoma induced in SCID mice by transplantation of an LCL-41 cell line variant (isotype-switched IgM>IgG). Survival of 60% of the animals treated with anti-gp130 was observed up to day 33, while about 20% of the animals survived with anti-gp80 and Sant7 treatment. No survival was observed with the anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody treatment. No significant change in serum and peritoneal levels of human IL-6 (hIL-6) and soluble human IL-6 receptor (shIL-6R) was observed in the recombinant Sant7-treated group towards the control group. The anti-gp80 monoclonal antibody induced significant increase of both hIL-6R and hIL-6 in serum and peritoneum. The anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody treatment determined a reduction of the seric shIL-6R and a significant increase of the seric hIL-6. Anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody administration resulted in a reduction of serum and in an increase of peritoneal hIL-6. Treatment with adenoviral Sant7 was associated with a reduction of circulating shIL-6R, hIgG and mSAP. However, only marginal anti-tumor efficacy of the adenoviral Sant7 was observed. Overall, the present data suggest a potential for anti-hIL-6 therapy in B-cell lymphomas. Less severe animal models might be useful to better evaluate Sant7 efficacy alone or in combination with other anti-IL-6 therapeutics.     

Signal transduction by human herpesvirus 8 viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) is modulated by the nonsignaling gp80 subunit of the IL-6 receptor complex and is distinct from signaling induced by human IL-6

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) mediates signaling through the gp130 signal transducer but unlike human IL-6 (hIL-6) does not require the nonsignaling gp80 alpha subunit of the IL-6 receptor complex. By utilizing a gp80-refractory vIL-6 variant, vIL-6(R189L), we found that signal transduction, as measured by STAT1 and STAT3 activation and gp130 tyrosine phosphorylation in gp80+/gp130+ HEK293T cells, was modulated by gp80. Furthermore, the signaling and BAF-130 cell growth-promoting activities of vIL-6 and hIL-6 could be distinguished, and exogenous addition of soluble gp80 enhanced cell growth supported by vIL-6. Our findings demonstrate that gp80 can modulate vIL-6 activity and that vIL-6 and hIL-6 signaling are not directly equivalent.