LOCALIZATION OF LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR AND INTERLEUKIN-6 MESSENGER RIBONUCLEIC-ACIDS IN REGENERATING RAT SKELETAL-MUSCLE

In the present study, we characterized both temporal and spatial expre ssion patterns of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin-6 ( IL-6) messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in injured skeletal muscle u sing in situ hybridization. LIF and IL-6 mRNAs were expressed in monon ucleated cells and damaged muscle cells. Further, signals for LIF mRNA were also detected in Schwann cell-like cells of intramuscular nerves . These results suggest that the earliest events involved in the repai r of injured muscles and nerves may be triggered by these cytokines. ( C) 1998 John Wiley Sons, Inc.