Bradykinin induces interleukin-6 and synergizes with interleukin-1.

Bradykinin was found to induce production of IL-6 in human diploid fibroblasts, as well as in a hepatoma-derived cell line, but not in a human melanoma or an osteosarcoma cell line. With the exception of the melanoma cell line, these cells were also found to be responsive to IL-1 beta. The response to bradykinin was faster but less high than that induced by IL-1. Experiments in which IL-1 (-alpha or -beta) and bradykinin were applied simultaneously revealed a synergistic interaction. Of the other cytokines tested, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma weakly induced IL-6. Neither IL-2, IFN-alpha, nor IFN-beta was able to induce IL-6, either in the absence or the presence of bradykinin. These observations constitute further evidence for the existence of interactions between cytokine and noncytokine peptides, thus linking the neuroendocrine and immune systems.