INTERLEUKIN-6, BUT NOT CILIARY NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR OR LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACUTE-PHASE RESPONSE TO TURPENTINE-INDUCED MYOSITIS

The acute phase response to inflammation is mediated in part by the en dogenous production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin 6 (IL-6 ) and members of its superfamily, including ciliary neurotrophic facto r (CNTF) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) have been implicated as primary mediators of the hepatic acute phase response, In the present report, mice suffering a turpentine-induced myositis were passively i mmunized with antibodies against either IL-6, CNTF or LIF. Passive imm unization against IL-6 attenuated the anorexia and completely prevente d the hypoalbuminaemia, and increases in the serum concentration of th e acute phase reactants, amyloid P, amyloid A and seromucoid. In contr ast, passive immunization against either CNTF or LIF failed to modulat e the anorexia, weight loss or hepatic acute phase protein responses. The findings suggest that IL-6, but not other members of its superfami ly, is primarily responsible for the hepatic acute phase response, and contributes to the anorexia, associated,vith turpentine-induced myosi tis. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.