The presence of IL-6 and IL-8 in the arterial wall where complement activation also occurred, clearly show the involvement of inflammatory events in initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
Interleukin-11 (IL-11), a member of IL-6-like cytokines, is reported to be involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling, both of which are observed in atherosclerosis.
We have previously reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) ligands (fibrates) lower elevated plasma concentrations of IL-6 in patients with atherosclerosis and inhibit IL-1-stimulated IL-6 secretion by human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC).
Recently, a common polymorphism of the IL-6 gene promoter, influencing the transcription rate of the gene, has been described and associated with atherosclerosis of carotid and coronary arteries.
Interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism modulates the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on early carotid artery atherosclerosis: the Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Study (CAPS).
This study demonstrated that in a large healthy family population, children included, levels of IL-6 are closely associated with traditional and non-traditional atherosclerosis risk factors.
As IL-6 increases in atherosclerosis, the study of the polymorphism of IL-6 may be a useful tool in identifying old subjects at risk for atherosclerosis.
The association between plasma Hcy and serum IL-6 levels supports the hypothesis that the activation of innate immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus who are homozygous for the TT genotype of C677T MTHFR.
To elucidate the respective roles of DNA polymorphisms in genes that encode inflammatory markers (such as IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) and other factors that may affect the development of atherosclerosis (such as apolipoprotein E, transforming growth factor and fetuin-A), sufficiently powered studies are needed in which genotype, the protein product and the specific phenotype all are analysed in relation to outcome.
Thus, these two SNPs in the promoter region and intron 3 of the IL-6 gene might play a role in the blood pressure regulation and progression of atherosclerosis in the Japanese.
Proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are suggested to have an important role in the process of atherosclerosis.
In this paper, we reviewed data regarding to the pivotal role played by the zinc-gene interaction in affecting some relevant cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) and heat shock proteins (Hsp70-2) in ageing, successful ageing (nonagenarians) and in some age-related diseases (atherosclerosis and infections).
Counteracting pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of serum cytokines have been reported, but the relevance of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta and IL-6 gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes and their contribution to systemic inflammation in atherosclerosis, especially after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), has not been investigated yet.
To better clarify the role of CD14 in atherosclerosis, we typed CD14 C-260T polymorphism in old Italian (Central of Italy) atherosclerotic patients with carotid stenosis related to lipid assessment, inflammation (soluble CD14, IL-6 serum levels) and IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, Metallothioneins (MT) gene expressions in carotid plaques.
Membrane-type serine protease-1/matriptase induces interleukin-6 and -8 in endothelial cells by activation of protease-activated receptor-2: potential implications in atherosclerosis.
Proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis.