title: Stimulation of ACTH release by human interleukin-1 beta, but not by interleukin-1 alpha, in conscious, freely-moving rats.
abstract: Ever since two distinct molecules of human interleukin-1 (termed interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta) were cloned, sequenced and expressed, it has been a matter of investigation whether these two forms of interleukin-1 possess an identical spectrum of biological activities. Our current studies of interleukin-1 and its involvement in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have indicated that there is a clear-cut differential response to interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta. The intravenous injection of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta significantly increased the plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone in a dose-related manner, whereas interleukin-1 alpha did not. This observation suggests for the first time that the two members of the interleukin-1 family may have a different spectrum of biological actions.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone