Correlation between synthesis of ?2-macroglobulin in hepatocytes and changes in serum cytokine levels in rats after infl ammatory stimulation

The time course of ?2-macroglobulin (?2M) synthesis in rat liver was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, correlations between synthesis of ?2M in hepatocytes and interleukin (IL)-6 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), which are considered to contribute to the production of ?2M, were evaluated. The presence of ?2M in the liver was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and serum levels of ?2M, IL-6 and CINC-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ?2M was not detected in the liver before injection of turpentine oil. ?2M was detected throughout the liver at 12 hours after injection of turpentine oil, when high serum levels of IL-6 and CINC-1 were observed. ?2M was distributed mainly around the central vein of the liver at 36 hours. Only small amounts of ?2M were detected in the liver at 48 hours, when peak serum levels of ?2M were observed. Synthesis of ?2M in hepatocytes peaked long before peak ?2M serum levels were seen. In conclusion, ?2M was considered to be synthesized in response to stimulation by IL-6 and CINC-1