Interleukin 6 (IL-6) Production by Lymph Node Cells: An Alternative Endpoint for the Murine Local Lymph Node Assay

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Abstract
The murine local lymph node assay has been developed for the identification of contact allergens. Sensitization potential is measured as a function of proliferation (radiolabeled thymidine incorporation) in lymph nodes draining the site of exposure to the test chemical. In the present study, an alternative endpoint for the local lymph node assay has been evaluated: the production by draining lymph node cells (LNC) of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a cytokine involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory responses. After topical exposure to a variety of contact sensitizing and nonsensitizing chemicals, proliferation and IL-6 production were measured in parallel cultures of draining LNC. A clear association between the vigour of proliferative activity and IL-6 production was observed. Eight of 10 sensitizing chemicals induced measurable (>150 pg/ml) IL-6 production. Non-sensitizing chemicals, including nonsensitizing skin irritants, failed to stimulate detectable levels of IL-6. These data indicate that the production of IL-6 by allergen-activated LNC may provide a valuable, nonisotopic modification of the local lymph node assay for the identification of moderate and strong contact allergens.

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