Vaccinia virus-regulated acute phase cytokine production in human fibroblasts, U937 cells and endothelium.

The production of acute phase cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and interleukin 1 (IL-1beta), was studied in primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts, human monocytic cell line U937 and primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after in vitro infection with vaccinia virus. Significant increase in IL-6 mRNA followed by enhanced protein secretion into the culture media was found in fibroblasts, U937 cells, and HUVEC. TNFalpha increased production in vaccinia virus infected U937 cells resembled closely the pattern of IL-6 production observed in the infected cells. Transient increase in NF-kappaB binding activity was found in the infected U937 (at 90 min) and endothelial (at 30 min) cells. Vaccinia virus induced cytokine production appeared to be transcriptional.