[Growth promoting effect of IL-6 on medulloblastoma cells in vitro].

Abstract

Expression of IL-6 and IL-6 signal transducer genes (IL-6R and gp130) in human medulloblastoma cells were investigated by Northern blot analysis, RT/PCR and immunocytochemical staining. The results revealed that among 13 tumor cases and 3 established medulloblastoma cell lines, 95% of them were found to express full set of IL-6 signal transducer genes, IL-6R and gp 130, but none of them expressed IL-6. Incubation of medulloblastoma cells in vitro with recombinant IL-6 could apparently stimulate cell growth and enhance DNA synthesis. Our data thus for the first time demonstrate that though IL-6 is not expressed by medulloblastoma cells themselves, IL-6 can act on medulloblastoma cells through its signal transducers by a paracrine pathway. Since medulloblastomas are surrounded by gliosis and infiltrated by immune activated cells which are known to express IL-6, the influence of those IL-6 producing cells on the development and progression of medulloblastomas should be taken into account.

• Authors: J Liu, H Li, M F Hamou
• Journal: Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology] (Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi) Vol. 17 Issue 4 Pg. 271-4 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 0253-3766 [Print] China
• PMID: 7587893 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Neoplasm
• Interleukin-6
• Morpholines
• 2-phenyl-5,5-dimethyltetrahydro-1,4-oxazine

Topics

• Base Sequence
• Cell Division
• Cerebellar Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• DNA, Neoplasm (biosynthesis)
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (genetics, pharmacology)
• Medulloblastoma (genetics, pathology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Morpholines
• Signal Transduction
• Tumor Cells, Cultured (drug effects)