Altered expression and secretion of colonic interleukin-6 in a stress-sensitive animal model of brain-gut axis dysfunction

J Neuroimmunol. 2011 Jun;235(1-2):48-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.04.003. Epub 2011 May 11.

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) can activate gastrointestinal submucosal neurons, with associated implications for motility and secretory function. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have elevated levels of circulating IL-6. Colons from the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat model of IBS secrete more IL-6 (12.84 pg/ml) than control Sprague Dawley (SD) colons (5.55 pg/ml) and WKY secretions stimulated calcium responses in naïve submucosal neurons of greater amplitude. Recombinant IL-6 activated more submucosal neurons in WKY tissue preparations (p<0.05). These data demonstrate that WKY colonic supernatants activate submucosal neurons using an IL-6-dependent mechanism, thereby providing a link between gastrointestinal dysfunction and alterations in IL-6 levels.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / immunology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Colon / immunology*
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / immunology*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / psychology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred WKY
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Species Specificity
  • Stress, Psychological / immunology*
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6