Interleukin-6 and its relation to the humoral immune response and clinical parameters in burned patients

The cytokine interleukin-6, which has been shown to be increased in patients with burn injuries, is produced by activated monocytes and endothelial cells and has many in vitro activities, including stimulation of acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes, immunoglobulin synthesis in B lymphocytes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSurgery Vol. 109; no. 6; p. 761
Main Authors Nijsten, M W, Hack, C E, Helle, M, ten Duis, H J, Klasen, H J, Aarden, L A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.1991
Subjects
Adult
alpha 1-Antitrypsin - analysis
Antibody Formation
Biomarkers - blood
Blood Proteins - analysis
Body Temperature
Burns - blood
Burns - immunology
Burns - physiopathology
C-Reactive Protein - analysis
Complement Activation
Complement C4 - analysis
Complement System Proteins - analysis
Female
Heart Rate
Hemoglobins - analysis
Humans
Immunoglobulin G - analysis
Immunoglobulin M - analysis
Interleukin-6 - blood
Leukocyte Count
Male
Models, Biological
Platelet Count
Time Factors
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Summary:The cytokine interleukin-6, which has been shown to be increased in patients with burn injuries, is produced by activated monocytes and endothelial cells and has many in vitro activities, including stimulation of acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes, immunoglobulin synthesis in B lymphocytes, and stimulation of growth of megakaryocytes. In 13 patients with a mean of 31% full-thickness burns, we studied the relation of serum interleukin-6 to clinical parameters and parameters of the acute-phase response and immunoglobulin production. Interleukin-6 was already elevated within hours after the injury was sustained, and it remained elevated for several weeks. All components of the acute-phase response were observed: fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis with an associated left shift, elevation of C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antitrypsin, and a decrease in albumin levels. In the second week after burn injury, immunoglobulin M levels peaked, followed by a prolonged elevation of immunoglobulin G levels. Thrombocyte counts initially decreased and rebounded to supranormal levels after 2 weeks. Interleukin-6 levels were positively correlated with acute-phase responses. We believe that the production of interleukin-6 induces the synthesis of acute-phase proteins. High interleukin-6 levels may also be an etiologic factor in the marked immunoglobulin response observed. Likewise, the relation between the megakaryocyte-promoting activity of interleukin-6 and the rebound thrombocytosis requires further investigation.
ISSN:0039-6060