Detection of IL-6 and its receptor mRNAs in a megakaryocytic cell line, CMK, by an RT-nested PCR.

An autocrine loop in a megakaryocytic cell line, CMK, has been proposed by Fuse et al. They detected IL-6 mRNA by means of Northern blotting, but not IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) mRNA. I also failed to detect IL-6R mRNA by the same means. In this study I showed the expression of IL-6 and its receptor mRNAs by means of reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) with an automated electrophoresis PhastSystem. These two procedures considerably enhanced detection sensitivity. The proliferation and the differentiation of CMK cells are augmented by IL-6 and inhibited by anti-IL-6 antibody. This study continued the autocrine theory of Fuse et al. in CMK cells. Moreover, this is the first detection of IL-6R mRNA in CMK.