Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (MR16-1) promotes muscle regeneration via modulation of gene expressions in infiltrated macrophages.

Background: Although rat anti-mouse IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody (MR16-1) has been reported to effectively ameliorate various tissue damages, its effect on skeletal muscle regeneration has not been determined. Moreover, the localization, persistence and duration of action of this reagent in damaged tissues after systemic administration have not been assessed.

Methods: The MR16-1 was administered i.