THE CYTOKINE INTERLEUKIN-6 INCREASES EXPRESSION OF THE CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES E-SELECTIN AND VCAM-1 ON ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS IN-VITRO - A ROLEIN PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: To determine whether the previously reported increases in I nterleukin-6 and cell adhesion molecules in preeclampsia may be linked , the effects of Interleukin-6 on endothelial cell expression of cell adhesion molecules, E-Selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VC AM), were studied in vitro. Methods: Endothelial cells were prepared f rom umbilical veins and used on the first passage. VCAM and E-Selectin mRNA were assessed by Northern analysis following incubation of the c ells with Interleukin-6 (0, 10, 100, 500, or 1000 Units/mL) for 4 h at 37 degrees C. VCAM-1 and E-Selectin proteins were assessed by immunoc ytochemistry following incubation of the cells with Interleukin-6 (500 Units/mL) for 0, 4, 8, or 24 h at 37 degrees C. Results: Interleukin- 6 resulted in a dose-and time-dependent increase in mRNA and protein l evels of both E-Selectin and protein. Conclusions: These results sugge st that Interleukin-6 may, at least in part, be responsible for the in crease in E-Selectin and VCAM-1 that occur in this disorder.