Interleukin 6 receptors on human bronchial epithelial cells
Takizawa, H.; Ito, K.
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 30 Suppl: 77-81
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1542 PMID: 1306242 Document Number: 395241
It has been suggested that a variety of cytokines may play important roles in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses in the lung. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interleukin 6 (IL-6) could affect the cell growth of human bronchial epithelial cells via a specific receptor for IL-6. Human recombinant IL-6 inhibited the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Binding assay with radiolabelled IL-6 demonstrated that human bronchial epithelial cells had specific receptors for IL-6. Moreover, Northern blot analysis using digoxigenin-labelled IL-6R mRNA expression in these cells. Interestingly, proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 alpha and IL-6 upregulated IL-6R mRNA levels. These results suggest that IL-6 may affect the functions of bronchial epithelial cells via a specific receptor, and that its activity on cells may be regulated at the level of receptor-cytokine binding.