Interleukin-6 stimulates anterior pituitary hormone release in vitro.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by inflammatory reactions, was found to stimulate PRL, GH and LH release from anterior pituitary cells at concentrations similar to those which affected lymphocyte mitogenesis. Perifused pituitary cells responded to IL-6 with prompt increases in hormone release that declined rapidly following cessation of exposure. Dopamine (DA) attenuated IL6-induced PRL release. In addition, IL-6 potentiated both GHRF- and TRH-induced hormone release without an affect on intracellular cAMP. These data demonstrate a new biological activity for IL-6 and provide evidence for immune system regulation of anterior pituitary hormone release.
Spangelo
B L
BL
Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Judd
A M
AM
Isakson
P C
PC
MacLeod
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011388:Prolactin; D000242:Cyclic AMP