Effects of estrogen on interleukin-6 production in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In view of the importance of estrogen and IL-6 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the effects of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on interleukin (IL)-6 production in cultured rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes were investigated.

METHODS:

Cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes obtained from RA joints were treated with the vehicle (control), as well as 10(-8) and 10(-6) M of E2, with or without IL-1 beta stimulation. After 72 hours of culture, the levels of IL-6 in supernatants were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS:

Treatment with 10(-8) and 10(-6) M of E2 had no effect on the constitutive production of IL-6 in cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes. However, E2 increased IL-1 beta-induced IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner, with a mean 12.5% increase with 10(-8) M of E2 (p = 0.048) and 33.4% with 10(-6) M (p < 0.0001) versus the control.

CONCLUSION:

Estrogen up-regulates IL-1 beta-induced IL-6 production in cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes, possibly contributing to the enhancement of rheumatoid inflammation in synovial tissues.

• Authors: T Kawasaki, T Ushiyama, K Inoue, S Hukuda
• Journal: Clinical and experimental rheumatology (Clin Exp Rheumatol) 2000 Nov-Dec Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 743-5 ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 11138340 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Estradiol

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (metabolism, pathology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Estradiol (pharmacology)
• Female
• Fibroblasts (metabolism)
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (biosynthesis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Synovial Membrane (metabolism, pathology)