Immunopharmacology and inflammationBlockade of IL-6 and TNF-α inhibited oxLDL-induced production of MCP-1 via scavenger receptor induction

In chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease risk is increased and is the main cause of increased mortality. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and scavenger receptors participate in atherogenesis. Using human arterial endothelial cells (HAECs), we evaluated the effect of IL-6 and TNF-α on the expression of scavenger receptors. IL-6 induced expression of SR-A mRNA and TNF-α induced both SR-A and LOX-1 mRNA. Both did induce either CD36 or CD68. To assess the function of scavenger receptors, MCP-1 production by oxLDL from cytokine-pretreated HAEC was examined. In accordance with scavenger receptor expression, oxLDL-induced MCP-1 production was increased in IL-6- or TNF-α-pretreatment. Serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients but not from healthy subjects increased mRNA expressions of SR-A, LOX-1 and CD36 in HAEC. SR-A expression was inhibited by both anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (α-IL-6R Ab) and TNF-α receptor (p75)-Fc (TNFR-Fc) and LOX-1 expression was inhibited by TNFR-Fc. CD36 expression was affected by neither. Serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients augmented oxLDL-induced MCP-1 production. Both α-IL-6R Ab and TNFR-Fc partially inhibited this MCP-1 production. In conclusion, our results strongly support that blocking therapy of IL-6 and TNF-α might be beneficial to reduce atherosclerosis risk in chronic inflammatory diseases.