ALTERED PULMONARY INTERLEUKIN-6 SIGNALING IN PRETERM INFANTS DEVELOPING BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

Interleukin (IL)-6 signaling depends on the soluble IL- 6 receptor (sIL-6R) and the soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130). To investigate the impact of IL- 6 signaling on the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia of prematurity (BPD), IL- 6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) technique in tracheal aspirates of mechanically ventilated preterm infants. Infants developing BPD showed increased concentrations of IL- 6, sIL-6R, and sgp-130 in their first week of life. These infants also had significantly higher molar ratios for IL-6/sIL-6R and IL-6/sgpw130. The authors conclude that altered interleukin-6 signaling via the soluble receptors sIL-6R and sgp130 may play an important role in pulmonary inflammation of preterm infants.