Production of interleukin-6 by folliculo-stellate cells of the anterior pituitary gland in a histiotypic cell aggregate culture system.
Reaggregate cell cultures of mouse or rat anterior pituitary were found to produce interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine known for its multiple actions in the immune system. Studies on aggregates prepared from differentially enriched pituitary cell populations revealed the presence of folliculo-stellate (FS) cells to be essential for IL-6 production. Aggregates that contained only hormone-secreting, but no FS cells, failed to produce IL-6. Furthermore, the yield of IL-6 increased with increasing proportions of FS cells present in the aggregates. It is suggested that IL-6 participates in the local regulation of the secretory function of the hypophysis and may constitute a link between events in the immune system and those in the endocrine system.
Vankelecom
H
H
Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute, University of Leuven, School of Medicine, Belgium.
Carmeliet
P
P
Van Damme
J
J
Billiau
A
A
Denef
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins