Immunodeficiency and IL-6 production by peripheral blood monocytes in multicentric Castleman's disease

Summary. To study the pathogenesis of multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), IL‐6 producing cells and immune function were investigated in four MCD patients. The expression of IL‐6 mRNA in one MCD lymph node was analysed by in situ hybridization. IL‐6 mRNA expressing cells were scattered in the interfollicular areas and did not resemble plasma cells. Spontaneous IL‐6 production was detected in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood...