Interleukin-6 plasma levels are elevated in response to acute systemic inflammation

Physiological

Data Availability

Period at which this change occurs is not accurately known

Tissue

  • immune system Changes

References

  • Starr et al. (2009) "Age-associated increase in cytokine production during systemic inflammation: adipose tissue as a major source of IL-6." J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 64(7):723-730 (PubMed)
Referencing provided by LibAge

External Links

Description

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma levels are elevated in response to acute systemic inflammation. Acute systemic inflammation induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide endotoxic (LPS) resulted in higher systemic IL-6 levels in older vs. younger mice. Plasma levels increased from 200 to 1200 ng/mL in young vs. old mice and mRNA levels increased 5-fold via Northern blot analysis. Age-associated increases in IL-6 expression were observed in the lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, and fat, with epididymal adipose tissue exhibiting the greatest IL-6 production. Body temperature of the older mice was also significantly decreased compared to the younger mice 6 hours after administration of LPS, and it seems unclear how much of a contributing factor the decreased fat pad weight in the older mice was to this hypothermia.