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Interleukin-6 increases the survival of retinal ganglion cells in vitro
P M Mendonça Torres1, E G de Araujo
1Departamento de Neurobiologia, Programa de Neuroimunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Centro de Estudos Gerais, Universidade Federal Fluminense, CP# 100180, RJ 24001-970, RJ, Niterói, Brazil.
Abstract:
Interleukin-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that mediates cellular communication both in physiological and pathological states. In this work, we demonstrate that 50 ng/mL IL-6 increases the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after 48 h in culture. This effect was blocked by an intracellular Ca(+2) chelator, by inhibition of ryanodinic receptors and by an inhibitor of L-type Ca(+2) channels. IL-6 effect is mediated by PKC, tyrosine kinase, PI3-kinase and MEK activity. The blockade of polypeptide release also abolished the effect of IL-6. These results suggest a role for this cytokine during the development of the central nervous system (CNS).