IL-6 amplifier, NF-κB-triggered positive feedback for IL-6 signaling, in grafts is involved in allogeneic rejection responses

J Immunol. 2012 Aug 15;189(4):1928-36. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103613. Epub 2012 Jul 13.

Abstract

The IL-6-amplifier first was discovered as a synergistic activation mechanism for NF-κB/STAT3 in type 1 collagen(+) cells. This process is marked by the hyperinduction of chemokines and subsequent local inflammation that leads to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays important roles in allogeneic graft rejection by using a tracheal heterotopic transplantation model that includes bronchiolitis obliterans, a pathological marker for chronic rejection. IL-6, epidermal growth factor, and IFN-γ all stimulate IL-6 amplifier activation, whereas CCL2, a chemotactic factor for Th1 cells, was one of the amplifier's main targets. Interestingly, IFN-γ hyperinduced CCL2 in type 1 collagen(+) cells via the IL-6 amplifier at least in vitro. In addition, we detected IL-6, CCL2, phospho-STAT3, and phospho-NF-κB in epithelial type 1 collagen(+) cells of allogeneic tracheal grafts. These results show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays a critical role for graft rejection responses after allogeneic transplantation, including chronic rejection. From these results, we consider whether the IL-6 amplifier in grafts might be a valuable therapeutic target for the prevention of transplant rejection, including chronic rejection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • NF-kappa B / immunology*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • NF-kappa B