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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
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Published on: November 22, 2011
Interleukin-6 stimulates HHV-8 replication in bone marrow cultures and infected cell lines
F Agbalika1, J P Marolleau, J C Brouet
1Laboratory of Virology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Introduction:
The significance of HHV-8 DNA detection in bone marrow stromal cells from patients with multiple myeloma is still controversial. Since IL-6 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of myeloma, we studied the effect of this lymphokine on HHV-8 DNA detection.
Materials And Methods:
Amplification of HHV-8 DNA from long-term bone marrow cultures established from normal individuals in the presence or absence of 1 ng/ml IL-6 and from an HHV-8 infected ISI cell line.
Results And Conclusions:
IL-6 increased HHV-8 replication in seven of ten bone marrow cultures as well as in the ISI cell line. Quantitative PCR showed a 3-100-fold increase in HHV-8 DNA copy number/microg DNA. These data suggest that when IL-6 is present in the micro-environment, HHV-8 replicates and may be amplified in the absence of systemic infection in patients without cellular immune deficiency.
Insights
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) significantly enhances human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) replication in bone marrow cultures. This suggests IL-6 may promote HHV-8 amplification in multiple myeloma patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- The role of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in multiple myeloma pathogenesis is debated.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is crucial in myeloma development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of IL-6 on HHV-8 DNA detection in bone marrow.
- To understand the relationship between IL-6 and HHV-8 replication.
Main Methods:
- Long-term bone marrow cultures from normal individuals were established.
- Cultures were treated with or without IL-6 (1 ng/ml).
- HHV-8 DNA amplification was performed using quantitative PCR on cultures and an HHV-8 infected cell line.
Main Results:
- IL-6 increased HHV-8 replication in 70% of bone marrow cultures and the ISI cell line.
- Quantitative PCR revealed a 3-100 fold increase in HHV-8 DNA copy number.
- Replication occurred even without systemic infection or immune deficiency.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 promotes HHV-8 replication in the bone marrow micro-environment.
- IL-6 may amplify HHV-8 in multiple myeloma patients.
- This occurs independently of systemic infection or cellular immune deficiency.
