Endothelin-1 stimulates interleukin-6 secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Background: Since both endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) may induce insulin resistance and adipose tissue is a major contributor of circulating IL-6, we examined the effects of ET-1 on IL-6 secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Methods: IL-6 release was measured by ELISA. RT-PCR and real-time PCR analyses were used to determine cellular IL-6 mRNA levels. A luciferase reporter driven by promoter (-1310/+198) of mouse IL-6 gene was transfected into 3T3-L1 adipocytes to monitor IL-6 transcription.

Results: Treatment of adipocytes with ET-1 dose- and time-dependently increased IL-6 secretion. The stimulatory effect of ET-1 on IL-6 secretion was abolished by actinomycin D and ET-1 induced an increase in IL-6 mRNA levels. ET-1 was able to enhance the IL-6 promoter activity and its stimulatory effect was inhibited by GF109203X, U0126, salicylate, dominant negative CREB and mithramycin A. Thus it appears that ET-1 may stimulate IL-6 secretion mainly through an enhanced IL-6 transcription, by a mechanism involving both protein kinase C and p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and probably downstream NF-kappaB, CREB and Sp1 transcription factors.

General Significance: This study demonstrates that ET-1 is able to increase IL-6 secretion from adipocytes and raises the possibility that ET-1-induced insulin resistance may be mediated by IL-6.