Neurotrophic role of interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-6 receptors in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a role in physiological and pathophysiological p rocesses in neuronal cells. We studied whether IL-6 plays a role in neurobl astoma cells in culture. These studies demonstrate that N1E-115 cells const itutively express IL-6 but not IL-6R. Exogenous IL-6 stimulated neuronal pr oliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Under serum-free conditions soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R) alone or in combination with IL-6 exerted signific ant proliferative effects, while IL-6 alone failed to promote cell prolifer ation. Neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody caused a 30-40% reduction in IL-6 me diated proliferation. Our results suggest the importance of IL-6/sIL-6R for proliferation and survival of N1E-115 adrenergic neuroblastoma cells. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.