Contact Hypersensitivity Induces Plasma Interleukin 6

Abstract

Previous studies in this laboratory have revealed that elicitation reactions in contact-sensitized mice correlate closely with elevations in the serum concentration of acute-phase proteins. Regulation of the hepatic synthesis of acute-phase proteins is one of the many biological functions ascribed to interleukin 6 (IL-6). We now provide evidence that contact reactions are also associated with a rapid and substantial increase in the plasma concentration of IL-6. Quantitative assessment of plasma IL-6 may provide a useful serological method for the evaluation of experimental allergic contact dermatitis in mice, and possibly in other species.