Interleukin-6 production in human fibroblasts derived from periodontal tissues is differentially regulated by cytokines and a glucocorticoid.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is thought to be a major mediator of the host's defense against infection, and it regulates immune responses in inflamed tissue. In this study, we investigated the regulation of IL-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulated IL-6 production in HGF and HPLF in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, or TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 production was enhanced, but the cAMP accumulation they induced was inhibited by the addition of indomethacin. This result suggests that endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) partially inhibits IL-1 or TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 production and that the enhancement of IL-6 production by IL-1 or TNF-alpha may not be caused through endogenous PGE2-induced cAMP-dependent pathway. Dexamethasone (DEX), a glucocorticoid which is a inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B activation, markedly inhibited IL-1 (alpha or beta) or TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 production; so this production may be partially mediated through NF-kappa B. IL-1 (alpha or beta) and TNF-alpha enhanced IL-6 production synergistically. IL-6 production in HGF or HPLF stimulated with IL-1 beta was augmented by the addition of interferon (IFN)-gamma, but was slightly suppressed by the addition of IL-4. Endogenous IL-6 enhanced IL-1 (alpha or beta)-induced IL-6 production in the presence of IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sR). Accordingly, in inflamed periodontal tissues, gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament fibroblasts stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 or TNF-alpha, may produce IL-6, and this production can be differentially modulated by endogenous PGE2, IL-6sR, T cell-derived cytokines such as IFN-gamma or IL-4, and glucocorticoids.