Expression of the cytokine genes in human glioma cell lines and specimens was studied. Primers for 7 different human cytokine, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, TGF-beta 1, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were used to analyze messenger RNA transcripts by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Messenger RNA encoding for IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and TGF-beta 1 was found to be expressed in some of glioma cell lines. And those showed a proliferative response to IL-1 beta. IL-8 mRNA was found in 2 of 5 low grade gliomas, in 8 of 9 high grade gliomas. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was found in all gliomas, in 1 of 2 normal brains. IL-1 beta mRNA was only found in normal brains. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were not found in glioma cell lines and specimens. IL-8 mRNA was apt to be found more frequently among high grade glioma specimens.