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. 1990 Sep;71(1):70–75.

Contrasting effects of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 on the interleukin-6 activity of stimulated human monocytes.

D L Cheung 1, P H Hart 1, G F Vitti 1, G A Whitty 1, J A Hamilton 1
PMCID: PMC1384223  PMID: 2120129

Abstract

Stimulated human monocytes/macrophages are a source of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a likely mediator involved in immune and inflammatory reactions. The means to control production of IL-6 by these cells could therefore have therapeutic applications. We report here, for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes in vitro, that the lymphokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (100 U/ml), enhanced the level of IL-6 activity, whereas another lymphokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4) (greater than or equal to 0.1 U/ml; greater than or equal to 1.2 x 10(-11) M), suppressed it. The effects of the two lymphokines were manifested at the level of mRNA. The action of the IL-4 was similar to that of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, but observed at a lower molar concentration. Such regulation of monocyte IL-6 activity is similar to that found previously for interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) synthesis.

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Selected References

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