IL-6 EXPRESSION BY ORAL FIBROBLASTS IS REGULATED BY ANDROGEN

doi:10.1006/cyto.1998.0336

Cytokine

Volume 10, Issue 8, August 1998, Pages 613-619

https://doi.org/10.1006/cyto.1998.0336 Get rights and content

Abstract

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multi-functional cytokine which has a major role in tissue damage. It is secreted by many types of cell, including oral fibroblasts, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases particularly those associated with sex hormones. In the present study we investigate whether the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) affects the expression and regulation of IL-6 in gingival fibroblasts. Using a ‘capture’ ELISA assay, it was found that decreasing DHT concentrations progressively reduced IL-6 production by gingival cells from normal individuals and from patients with gingival inflammation and gingival hyperplasia. In contrast, cells from periodontal ligament tissue produced only barely detectable levels of IL-6. The anti-androgen cyproterone acetate acted as an androgen analogue in the gingival fibroblast, potently inhibiting IL-6 production, and did not reverse the DHT-mediated downregulation of the cytokine. Flutamide also failed to abrogate DHT inhibition of IL-6 production, and it had no effect on IL-6 production in the absence of DHT. Moveover, semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that DHT acted at the level of transcription of the IL-6 gene, causing a marked reduction in the relative level of IL-6 mRNA in gingival cells.

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^f1: Correspondence to: Irwin Olsen, Room RL16, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK: E-mail: [email protected]

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Regular articleIL-6 EXPRESSION BY ORAL FIBROBLASTS IS REGULATED BY ANDROGEN

Abstract

Regular article
IL-6 EXPRESSION BY ORAL FIBROBLASTS IS REGULATED BY ANDROGEN