Production of Interleukin 1 by hepatoma cell lines

Abstract

Three hepatoma cell and Chang liver cell lines were examined for interleukin 1 (IL-1) production. IL-1 activity was determined using thymocyte co-stimulating assay. In the result, three hepatoma cell lines showed high level IL-1 in their conditioned media. In contrast, Chang liver cell showed no significant IL-1 activity. These activities were completely neutralized with anti-IL-1α antiserum. Furthermore, in examinaiton of mRNA level by dot blot hybridization, two of three hepatoma cell lines showed high expression of IL-1α mRNA.
These findings suggest the possibility of IL-1α production by hepatoma cells. Further study will be needed to clarify the role and significance of IL-1 in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.