Effect of Intravenous Immuoglobulin on Interleukin-6 Production 
in Human Skeletal Muscle Cell Line (HM4)

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 22(3); 2004 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2004;22(3): 249-254.

인간 골격근세포주(HM4)에서 Interleukin-6 생성에 대한 정맥내 글로불린의 효과

주인수, 주억식 김성회 이용범

아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실, 뇌질환연구소

Effect of Intravenous Immuoglobulin on Interleukin-6 Production in Human Skeletal Muscle Cell Line (HM4)

In Soo Joo

Departments of Neurology and Brain Disease Research Center*, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

Abstract

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been widely used in the management of patients with various autoimmune neurological diseases, however, its action mechanisms have not fully been elucidated yet. This study focused on the effects of IVIg on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of major proinflammatory cytokine, using a human skeletal muscle cell line (HM4).
Methods: After HM4 cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 5% fetal bovine serum for 24 h, the culture medium was changed with serum-free media. TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α, 100 ng/mL) and IVIg (5 mg/mL) were treated alone or in combination and cultured for various time. RT-PCR and ELISA kit were employed for mRNA expression and secretion of IL-6, respectively.
Results: Treatment with TNF-α or/and IVIg significantly induced IL-6 mRNA expression (p<0.001). Although IL-6 production was markedly increased by TNF-α (p<0.001), IVIg treatment alone or in combination with TNF-α had no effect on the production of IL-6 except at 6 h after the treatment.
Conclusions: IVIg seems not to have a significant effect on IL-6 production as an action mechanism of its immunomodulatory capabilities, at least in the HM4 cell line. Key Words: Intravenous immunoglobulin, IL-6, Human skeletal muscle cell line