Interleukin 6 enhances the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) but not that of matrix metalloproteinases by human fibroblasts.

We have investigated the effect of interleukin 6 (IL-6) on the synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagenase (MMP-1) and stromelysin (MMP-3) using human skin and uterine cervical fibroblasts. IL-6 did not modulate the expression of MMPs by these fibroblasts, but the production of TIMP was enhanced by IL-6 in a dose dependent manner, whereas IL-1 stimulated the production of both MMPs and TIMP. The combination of IL-6 and IL-1 further augmented IL-1-induced MMPs and TIMP production. The results provide the first evidence that IL-6 participates in the catabolism of the extracellular matrix components by modulating the effects of IL-1 on MMPs and TIMP synthesis as well as its direct effects on the synthesis of TIMP by connective tissue cells.