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Background: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) interference with interleukin 6 (IL-6) activity and the role of the latter in early human embryonic development prompted us to examine the effects IL-6 on matrix synthesis and the effects of TGF-β3 on IL-6 expression human cleft lip and palate (CLP) fibroblasts. Methods: Collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis were determined by radiolabeled precursors and biglycan expression by Northern blotting before and after adding IL-6. The effects of TGF-β3 on IL-6 production were assayed by evaluating IL-6 transcript by Northern blotting and IL-6 protein secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The results showed that IL-6 elicited an inhibitory effect on collagen and GAG levels in CLP fibroblasts by lowering hyaluronan and dermatan sulfate secretion. IL-6 up-regulated biglycan expression, but less strongly than TGF-β3. TGF-β3 significantly down-regulated IL-6 transcript and secretion in CLP fibroblasts. Conclusions: These data suggest the increase in matrix components that characterize the CLP fibroblast phenotype might be due to a concerted TGF-β3-IL-6 action. We hypothesize changes in cross-talk between TGF-β3 and IL-6 signal transduction pathways are involved in the induction of cleft palate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) interference with interleukin 6 (IL-6) activity and the role of the latter in early human embryonic development prompted us to examine the effects IL-6 on matrix synthesis and the effects of TGF-beta3 on IL-6 expression human cleft lip and palate (CLP) fibroblasts., Methods: Collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis were determined by radiolabeled precursors and biglycan expression by Northern blotting before and after adding IL-6. The effects of TGF-beta3 on IL-6 production were assayed by evaluating IL-6 transcript by Northern blotting and IL-6 protein secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: The results showed that IL-6 elicited an inhibitory effect on collagen and GAG levels in CLP fibroblasts by lowering hyaluronan and dermatan sulfate secretion. IL-6 up-regulated biglycan expression, but less strongly than TGF-beta3. TGF-beta3 significantly down-regulated IL-6 transcript and secretion in CLP fibroblasts., Conclusions: These data suggest the increase in matrix components that characterize the CLP fibroblast phenotype might be due to a concerted TGF-beta3-IL-6 action. We hypothesize changes in cross-talk between TGF-beta3 and IL-6 signal transduction pathways are involved in the induction of cleft palate.