Expression and cellular localization of interleukin-6 mRNA in ovariectomized rats

In order to observe the expression and cellular localization of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA in bone tissue, ovaries of the rats were excised to develop osteoporosis model. The expression of IL-6 mRNA in bone tissues was detected by using dot blot hybridization assay and the cells producing IL-6 identified and localized by using in situ hybridization respectively. The results showed that the expression of IL-6 mRNA was significantly increased in the ovariectomized rats as compared with that in normal control rats and strong IL-6 mRNA hybridization signals were detected in lining cells, osteoblasts and osteocytes. It was suggested that loss of ovarian function induced in vivo osteoblast lineage increased IL-6 mRNA expression. IL-6 might play important roles in the development of bone loss following ovariectomy.