Interleukin-1-beta induces pituitary adrenocorticotropin secretion: evidence for glucocorticoid modulation.
Using an in vitro continuous perifusion system, the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion at the pituitary level were investigated. On one hand, we observed that IL-1 beta increases ACTH secretion from perifused anterior pituitary cells in a dose-dependent manner, between 1.5 and 6 pM. This stimulatory action of IL-1 on ACTH was significantly attenuated by a short in vitro dexamethasone pretreatment. This fact suggests a regulatory glucocorticoid negative feedback analogous to that observed upon the pituitary action of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). We also examined the effect of simultaneous treatment with IL-1 and CRF. The results indicated that the effect of IL-1 resulted additive to the CRF-induced ACTH secretion. It is concluded that the anterior pituitary could be an important site of IL-1 action to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function, and that this action is under an inhibitory glucocorticoid regulation.
Cambronero
J C
JC
Research Group of Psychobiology, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Rivas
F J
FJ
Borrell
J
J
Guaza
C
C
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007375:Interleukin-1; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone