Effect of homocysteine on secretion and expression of interleukin-6 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of homocysteine(Hcy) on secretion and expression of interleukin-6(IL-6), which is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine, in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs). METHODS: Rat VSMCs were stimulated with Hcy. Cell ELISA was performed to measure the expression of IL-6 protein and semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to dectect the IL-6 mRNA expression. RESULTS: Compared with control, treatment of 0.25 mmol Hcy for 6 h could increase IL-6 production. In addition, Hcy concentration-dependently increased the expression of IL-6 protein in these cells. 0.1 mmol/L, 0.25 mmol/L Hcy increased IL-6 production 1 4-fold and 3 4-fold, respectively Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that homocysteine also enhanced IL-6 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: Homocysteine can induce IL-6 expression in VSMCs and elicit vascular inflammatory response, which may thereby influence the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.