Differential inhibitory effects of indomethacin, dexamethasone, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) on IL-11 production by rheumatoid synovial cells

IL-11, a member of the IL-6 type cytokines, has some biological activity related to the joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as induction of osteoclast differentiation. However, its expression and regulation in rheumatoid inflamed joints has not been clarified. In the present study we examined the capacity of fresh rheumatoid synovial cells (fresh RSC) to produce IL-11, and the effect of indomethacin, dexamethasone and IFN-γ on IL-11 production. Fresh RSC obtained from eight patients with RA produced large amounts of IL-11, measured by ELISA, and showed strong expression of IL-11 mRNA, determined by Northern blotting. Indomethacin inhibited the production of IL-11 by about 55%. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) completely prevented the inhibition, suggesting that IL-11 production by fresh RSC was in part mediated by PGE2. Dexamethasone inhibited the production of IL-11 by more than 80%. Interestingly, the inhibition was not abolished by PGE2. IFN-γ inhibited the production of IL-11 from IL-1α-stimulated cultured rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts, although IFN-γ did not inhibit the production of IL-11 by fresh RSC. These results suggest that the production of IL-11 by rheumatoid synovia was differentially regulated by PGE2 and IFN-γ, and that treatment with indomethacin or dexamethasone decreased the level of IL-11 at inflammatory joints in patients with RA