Murine interleukin-11 (IL-11) is expressed at high levels in the hippocampus and expression is developmentally regulated in the testis

Abstract

IL-11, derived from a bone marrow stromal cell line, has pleiotropic effects on both hematopoietic cells and nonhematopoietic cells. However, no previous studies have systematically addressed expression of IL-11 in primary tissues in vivo and the relationship of IL-11 tissue specific gene expression and function of IL-11 is not clear. In the present study, we examined constitutive IL-11 expression in various murine adult tissues in vivo. IL-11 mRNA is expressed in a wide range of normal tissues (including hematopoietic organs) at levels only detected by RT-PCR. IL-11 protein was detected in brain and testis by Western blot analysis. The in vivo cellular distribution of IL-11 expression was examined by in situ hybridization. In brain, IL-11 message is distributed in granular layer dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layers of hippocampus. IL-11 is also expressed in anterior horn cells and lateral column neuronal cells of the spinal cord. In testis, IL-11 mRNA is expressed in round spermatids at stage VI-IX seminiferous tubules. IL-11 expression in testis is restricted to developing spermatogonia and is developmentally regulated, since no expression is seen in mice genetically deficient in germ cells and in mice prior to sexual maturation. These expression data correlate with functional data demonstrating that IL-11 stimulates proliferation in vitro of a hippocampus neuronal progenitor cell line and administration of IL-11 in vivo accelerates recovery of spermatogenesis after cytotoxic therapy. These studies suggest that IL-11 may be an important regulator in neural and testicular function.

Interleukin-11, an interleukin-6-like cytokine, is a promising predictor for bladder cancer prognosis

“…To date, IL-11 has been characterized most extensively as a cytokine with thrombopoietic activity. It was also shown to have a number of additional biological activities, including stimulation of erythropoeisis (19), activation of megakaryocytes (20), modulation of neuronal phenotypes (21), regulation of macrophage precursors (22), promotion of stem cell development (23) and improved colonization of transplanted murine bone marrow cells (24). In addition, IL-11 is capable of stimulating B cell IgG production (25), and osteoblast-derived IL-11 activates bone-resorbing osteoclasts with an associated decrease in de novo bone formation (26).…”

Multiple and highly divergent IL-11 genes in teleost fish

“…IL-11 also prevents cartilage matrix degradation in chronically inflamed joints by inducing the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) (Maier et al 1993) and is an important regulator of bone remodeling (Elias et al 1995;Takeuchi et al 2002). Other physiological functions of IL-11 include the inhibition of adipogenesis (Keller et al 1993;Takeuchi et al 2002) and the induction of proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neuronal cells (Du et al 1996;Mehler et al 1993).…”

Neural-immune interactions in health and disease.

“…To date, virtually all known cytokines or their receptors have been sought (and found) in many CNS cells, including neurons (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Many experimental approaches have been used to define the extent to which cytokines and their receptors are expressed in nervous system tissues and the extent to which these tissues respond to cytokines.…”