RÉSUMÉ
BACKGROUND: Various immunotherapeutical approaches are presently evaluated for their efficacy to eradicate glioma cells. Complicating the concepts, these tumors secrete cytokines which modulate the immune response. MATERIALS & METHODS: We analyzed the influence of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) on the cytokine production and IFN-gamma receptor expression in T98G and U87-MG human glioma cells. RESULTS: The IFN-gamma receptors were own-regulated after IFN-gamma treatment. Secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein was elevated by factors of 6.4 in T98G cells and 5.2 in U87-MG. Other cytokines were increased as well, but less constantly: IL-8, and VEGF were elevated significantly only in T98G, but not in U87-MG. Increases of IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha and TGF beta-2 were only detectable at the mRNA level. TNF was not detectable in any of the cell lines, and TGF-beta, alpha FGF and HG were not influenced by IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: IL-6 produced by glioma cells in response to IFN-gamma might support immune eradication of glioma cells.