Augmented interleukin-6 secretion in collagen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic sclerosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that is associated with excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition in various tissues. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by fibroblasts, activated T and B lymphocytes, which maybe involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE:

This study was performed in order to determine whether IL-6 could be detected specifically in collagen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic sclerosis.

METHODS:

We clinically evaluated seven patients with systemic sclerosis for disease duration and organ involvement and analyzed in vitro the ability of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells and those of disease-free controls, in the presence of concanavalin A, human type I collagen, and the mast cell mediator, heparin to secrete IL-6 spontaneously by a sensitive ELISA.

RESULTS:

Interleukin-6 production by nonspecific stimulation with concanavalin A did not differ between patients with systemic sclerosis and controls; however, collagen stimulation significantly increased IL-6 production in patients with systemic sclerosis; mean 1728 pg/mL versus a mean of 386 pg/mL in controls P = < .05). Collagen-stimulated IL-6 levels > 2000 pg/mL were obtained in 86% of patients with systemic sclerosis compared with none in the controls. In patients with systemic sclerosis with a shorter disease duration, greater spontaneous as well as collagen- and heparin-stimulated IL-6 production was observed, whereas decreased IL-6 levels were noted with longer disease duration (> 21 years).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study suggest that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic sclerosis are specifically sensitized to human type I collagen to produce increased levels of IL-6, which may play a role in the pathogenesis in this fibrotic disorder.

• Authors: M Gurram, S Pahwa, M Frieri
• Journal: Annals of allergy (Ann Allergy) Vol. 73 Issue 6 Pg. 493-6 (Dec 1994) ISSN: 0003-4738 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7998663 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Concanavalin A
• Collagen

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cells, Cultured
• Collagen (pharmacology)
• Concanavalin A (pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (metabolism)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (drug effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Scleroderma, Systemic (blood, metabolism)