IDENTIFICATION OF INTERLEUKIN-6 PRODUCING FIBROBLASTOID CELLS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID FROM PATIENTS WITH LEUKEMIC MENINGITIS

Cytokine producing native cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have not been identified. So, we investigated the cytokine producing ability of floating cells in CSF from patients with leukemic meningitis. Morphol ogic study revealed that established cell lines were polygonal or elon gated in shape and had an abundant and irregular branched cytoplasm. I mmunocytochemical analysis demonstrated positive reactivity with monoc lonal anti-fibroblast antibody only. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was constitu tively produced in vitro by these cell lines; both interleukin-l and l ipopolysaccharides significantly increased its synthesis. These findin gs imply that these fibroblastoid cells are floating in CSF of patient s with leukemic meningitis and produce IL-6 in response to various inf lammatory stimulations in vivo. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.