Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of IL-6 on the autophagic maturation and the survival of PC12 treated by MPP+. Method IL-6 and bafilomycin A1 were administrated to PC12 cells with MPP+ treatment or not. We not only detected reproductive activity of cells with MTT method but also observed the expression of LC-3 in different conditions by Western blotting, and the formation of autophagy by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results After MPP+ administration, PC12 cells' autophagy level raised significantly, and bafilomycin A1 treatment slightly increased the autophagy level; IL-6 increased PC12 cells' autophagy level, but less than MPP + treatment groups, and bafilomycin A1 treatment increased the autophagy level significantly. IL-6 reduced the autophagy level of PC12 cell lines treated with MPP+, increased cell proliferation ability. Conclusion IL-6 can promote autophagic vehicles maturation, decrease MPP + induced cell injury, and promote PC12 cell survival.

Key words: IL-6, autophagy, PC12, bafilomycin.