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Induction and regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in rat astrocytes
Benveniste EN, Sparacio SM, Norris JG, Grenett HE, Fuller GM.. Journal of neuroimmunology, 1990-12-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Cells that produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) require the presence of signaling molecules since this cytokine is not normally constitutively expressed. It is now established that astrocytes produce IL-6; however, the precise inducing molecules and the kinetics of their action have not yet been clearly identified. In the current study, we show that either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) exert a strong inducing signal for IL-6 in primary rat astrocytes.
Key findings
- It is now established that astrocytes produce IL-6; however, the precise inducing molecules and the kinetics of their action have not yet been clearly identified.
- In the current study, we show that either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) exert a strong inducing signal for IL-6 in primary rat astrocytes.
- When the two cytokines are added together the response is synergistic, suggesting that each cytokine may induce IL-6 gene expression by different pathways.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) does not affect IL-6 expression although if it is added in conjunction with IL-1 beta, an augmented induction of IL-6 occurs.
Why it matters
In primary rat astrocytes, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha strongly induced IL-6, and together the two cytokines acted synergistically. This is cell research on inflammation signaling, not a treatment or cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of neuroimmunology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Neuroimmunology: journal h-index 192 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1990 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “rat”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 315 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 8.3 citations a year over 38 year(s) since 1990 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 10.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 5 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Gerald M. Fuller: h-index 43 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Alabama at Birmingham: institution h-index 1,118 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 2121800) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Benveniste, E. N., Sparacio, S. M., Norris, J. G., Grenett, H. E., & Fuller, G. M. (1990). Induction and regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in rat astrocytes. Journal of neuroimmunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-5728(90)90104-u
Vancouver
Benveniste EN, Sparacio SM, Norris JG, Grenett HE, Fuller GM. Induction and regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in rat astrocytes. Journal of neuroimmunology. 1990. doi:10.1016/0165-5728(90)90104-u. PMID: 2121800.
BibTeX
@article{benveniste1990-2121800,
author = {Benveniste, E. N. and Sparacio, S. M. and Norris, J. G. and Grenett, H. E. and Fuller, G. M.},
title = {{Induction and regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in rat astrocytes}},
journal = {Journal of neuroimmunology},
year = {1990},
doi = {10.1016/0165-5728(90)90104-u},
pmid = {2121800},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-5728(90)90104-u}
}
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