Interleukin-6 production in primary histoculture by normal human kidney and renal tumor tissues.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine with many biologic activities in vitro, including synergistic or antagonistic actions with one or more other cytokines. The role and induction parameters of IL-6 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not fully understood. To understand the ability of RCC to produce IL-6, we determined the IL-6 concentration in the supernatant of histocultured human normal kidney, RCC, renal Wilms' tumor and renal oncocytoma. From these studies, we conclude that the kidney is one of the main sources of IL-6. Normal renal cortical tissues and renal tumors can produce IL-6 in histoculture without stimulation. Thus histoculture supports the long-term production of IL-6, potentially allowing many important studies of this cytokine in the normal and malignant kidney.