VACCINIA VIRUS-REGULATED ACUTE-PHASE CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN HUMAN FIBROBLASTS, U937 CELLS AND ENDOTHELIUM

THE production of acute phase cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha) and interleukin 1 (IL-1 beta), was studied in primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts, human monocytic cell l ine U937 and primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cell s (HUVEC) after in vitro infection with vaccinia virus. Significant in crease in IL-6 mRNA followed by enhanced protein secretion into the cu lture media was found in fibroblasts, U937 cells, and HUVEC. TNF alpha increased production in vaccinia virus infected U937 cells resembled closely the pattern of IL-6 production observed in the infected cells. Transient increase in NF-kappa B binding activity was found in the in fected U937 (at 30 min) and endothelial (at 30 min) cells. Vaccinia vi rus induced cytokine production appeared to be transcriptional.