The role of IL-6 and its soluble receptor in chronic lung disease of prematurity

IL-6 trans-signalling was investigated in transformed airway epithelial cells (A549 and BEAS2B cells) and primary small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) in vitro. The cells expressed gp130 but not IL-6R. MCP-1 in response to IL-6 trans-signalling was variable and generally weak. Furthermore, IL-8 release was not downregulated by IL-6 trans-signalling. Instead, an increase in MCP-1 and IL-8 release was observed in response to a combined stimulation of IL-6 trans-signalling and IL-1[Special characters omitted]. This suggests that the pro-resolution paradigm of IL-6 trans-signalling may not be the case in airway epithelial cells