Adult interleukin-6 knockout mice show compromised neurogenesis

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine known to modulate neurogenesis. We presently evaluated neural progenitor proliferation, survival, and phenotypic maturation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, subventricular zone, and the posterior periventricle in the brains of IL-6 knockout mice and their wild-type littermates. In all the three neurogenic regions of the IL-6(-/-) mice there was a significant decrease in the number of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine positive (BrdU(+)) proliferating progenitors compared with the IL-6(+/+) mice. The IL-6(-/-) mice also showed a significantly lower progenitor cell survival in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone compared with the IL-6(+/+) mice. In conclusion, a complete lack of IL-6 might be detrimental to neurogenesis in the adult brain. NeuroReport 22:126-130 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.