Inhibition by dexamethasone of the lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in IL-6 mRNA abundance and IL-6 production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key inflammatory cytokine that is produced by various cell types including polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). However, the pathophysiological roles of IL-6 produced by human PMNs are unclear. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced marked increase in IL-6 production, determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and IL-6 mRNA abundance determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, in purified human PMNs. Both effects of LPS were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by dexamethasone (10(-6) to 10(-8) M). IL-6 receptor mRNA was constitutively present in PMNs and its abundance was not affected by either LPS or dexamethasone. These results indicate that PMNs are an important source of IL-6 in acute inflammatory reactions, and that the anti-inflammatory actions of dexamethasone is attributable in part to inhibition of IL-6 production by these cells. The constitutive presence of IL-6 receptor mRNA in PMNs suggests that IL-6 may exert pathophysiological effects on these cells.