Interleukin-6 induces proinflammatory signaling in Schwann cells: a high-throughput analysis

Interleukin-6 plays an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration. We recently reported that IL-6 targets Schwann cells in the peripheral nerve for its function. In this study, we analyzed genes whose expression is regulated by IL-6 in a cell line derived from Schwann cells, the peripheral glia, using the Illumina gene microarray. At measurements 3 and 12h after IL-6 treatment, 35 genes were found to be upregulated by IL-6. Most upregulated genes were proinflammatory genes that are known to be induced in inflammatory conditions. Interestingly, the expression of immunoproteasome subunits was upregulated by IL-6 in Schwann cells. Treatment with forskolin, an agent that mimics axonal signaling, suppressed the expression of IL-6-inducible genes. Finally, we found for the first time that sciatic nerve injury induced immunoproteasome expression in vivo. These findings indicate that IL-6 is involved in peripheral nerve regeneration by regulating proinflammatory signaling in Schwann cells.