title: Stimulation of interleukin-6 production by corticotropin-releasing factor.
abstract: Based on the immune-modulating properties of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the effect of this peptide for interleukin-6 (IL-6) production was investigated. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC), the amount of bioactive IL-6 produced was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased by CRF (10(-10) to 10(-7) M range). However, the IL-6 production of lipopolysaccharide-treated MNC cultures was not modified. At concentrations of greater than or equal to 10 nM, CRF and two analogous peptides (Tyr-CRF and alpha-helical CRF) elicited 16- to 21-fold stimulation of IL-6 production by MNC. Purified monocytes, but not purified lymphocytes, were the cells that responded to CRF action exhibiting nearly 19-fold stimulation at 100 nM concentration. The CRF-induced production of IL-6 cytokine by peripheral blood MNC may suggest a messenger role for this neurohormone in the feedback control of neuroendocrine-immune circuitry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan 84322-6800.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leu
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone