INTERLEUKIN-6 PRODUCTION IN PRIMARY HISTOCULTURE BY NORMAL HUMAN KIDNEY AND RENAL TUMOR-TISSUES

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine with many biologic activities in vitro, including synergistic or antagonistic actions wit h one or more other cytokines. The role and induction parameters of IL -6 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not fully understood. To understa nd the ability of RCC to produce IL-6, we determined the IL-6 concentr ation in the supernatant of histocultured human normal kidney, RCC, re nal Wilms' tumor and renal oncocytoma. From these studies, we conclude that the kidney is one of the main sources of IL-6. Normal renal cort ical tissues and renal tumors can produce IL-6 in histoculture without stimulation. Thus histoculture supports the long-term production of I L-6, potentially allowing many important studies of this cytokine in t he normal and malignant kidney.