Interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor expression in human corticotrophic adenoma and murine pituitary cell cultures.
The production of IL-1 and IL-6 by pituitary cells has recently been demonstrated. In this study we investigated the expression of IL-2 and its receptor (IL-2R) by pituitary cells of different species. In Northern blots, a single hybridizing band of 1 kb, identical to that in normal stimulated lymphocytes, was obtained with specific IL-2 probes. In the mouse AT-20 pituitary tumor cell line, IL-2 mRNA expression was detected after stimulation with corticotropin-releasing hormone or phorbol myristate acetate. In human corticotrophic adenoma cells, basal IL-2 mRNA expression as well as IL-2 secretion were further stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate. Both adenoma and AtT-20 cells showed detectable amounts of IL-2R mRNA and by immunofluorescence, IL-2R membrane expression. In addition, dual immunofluorescence studies in rat anterior pituitary cells demonstrated colocalization of IL-2R with ACTH-positive cells and other cell types expressing the receptor. In addition to the action of lymphocyte-produced IL-2, this cytokine may have a paracrine or autocrine regulatory role within the pituitary. It remains to be established whether IL-2 production occurs in the normal pituitary or is intrinsic to the process of tumor development of these cells. IL-2 may be involved in the growth control of pituitary cells.
Arzt
E
E
Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany.
Stelzer
G
G
Renner
U
U
Lange
M
M
Müller
O A
OA
Stalla
G K
GK
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone