Fig. 1.

LPS augments podocyte IL-6 expression and podocytes express the IL-6 receptor. Fully differentiated transformed podocytes were treated with 10 ng/ml LPS. a IL-6 mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR at various time points. Results are the average of studies performed at least three times, * p < 0.05 vs. control (C) podocytes and bars represent SEM. b Culture supernatant IL-6 was evaluated by ELISA. Results are representative of studies performed at least three times. * p < 0.05 vs. control, ** p < 0.05 vs. 2-hour LPS treatment. c. Fully differentiated podocytes were treated with IL-6, and at 24 and 48 h Western blotting for IL-6rα, gp130 and actin was performed on cell lysates. SN = Podocyte culture supernatant at 48 h.