Interleukin-6 production in primary histoculture by normal human kidney and renal tumor tissues

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine with many biologic activities in vitro, including synergistic or antagonistic actions with one or move other cytokines. The role and induction parameters of IL-6 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are not fully understood. To understand the ability of RCC to produce IL-6, we determined the IL-6 concentration in the supenatant of histocultured human normal kidney, RCC, renal Wilms' tumor and venal oncocytoma. From these studies, we conclude that the kidney is one of the main sources of IL-6. Normal venal cortical tissues and renal tumors can produce IL-6 in histoculture without stimulation. Thus histoculture supports the long-term production of IL-6, potentially allowing many important studies of this cytokine in the normal and malignant kidney.