Neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 mRNA is localized in rat hypothalamus and hippocampus.
Neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 (NAP-1/IL-8) is a cytokine synthesized by various cell types. In the immune system NAP-1/IL-8 is part of an immune cascade initiated by IL-1 production. NAP-1/IL-8 affects hypothalamic function and its production is suppressed by steroids. Therefore, it might be expected that NAP-1/IL-8 would be produced in brain areas involved in the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA). NAP-1/IL-8 mRNA was localized by in situ hybridization in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Those areas also express the genes encoding interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptors, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). This suggests that an immune cascade, which is well characterized in the immune system, may exist in brain, in areas of relevance to the regulation of stress-related neuroendocrine function.
Licinio
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven VAMC/116A, CT 06516.
Wong
M L
ML
Gold
P W
PW
D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000737:chemistry*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000737:chemistry*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats
D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger