title: Corticotropin (ACTH) induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha by monocytes.
abstract: The finding that monocytes possess specific ACTH receptors led us to determine the effect of ACTH on monokine production. Here, we report that ACTH 1-39 will induce TNF-alpha from the adherent fraction of peripheral blood leukocytes. In addition, we also found that ACTH 1-39 will potentiate IFN-gamma's induction of TNF-alpha from these cells. Since previous reports showed that ACTH inhibits IFN-gamma's activation of macrophages to a cytocidal state, our data raise questions concerning the relative role of TNF-alpha in macrophage mediated cytolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone