Leukotriene C4 induces TGF-beta1 production in airway epithelium via p38 kinase pathway.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling. We investigated the interaction between epithelium and CysLTC4, and the contribution of this interaction to airway fibrosis. Human airway epithelial cells were grown on air-liquid interface culture inserts.

IL-6 induces neuroendocrine dedifferentiation and cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as an important growth regulator of lung cancer cells. Elevation of serum levels of IL-6 has been found in a subpopulation of lung cancer patients, but rarely in patients with benign lung diseases. Approximately 15% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors exhibit neuroendocrine (NE) properties (NSCLC-NE) and have been suggested to have the biological characteristics similar to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with early metastasis and initial responsiveness to chemotherapy.