Production of fever and its effects on the host.
Leukocytic pyrogen (LP) is a polypeptide that is released from phagocytic leukocytes and mediates fever, by direct action on the thermoregulatory centers in the hypothalamus. During the mediation a complex series of biochemical events occurs in the hypothalamus, including increases in prostaglandin synthesis. The production of LP by phagocytic leukocytes (predominantly monocyte/macrophage) requires synthesis of protein and new messenger-RNA. Recently, it has been discovered that LP has other direct effects on the host. Amongst these effects are: increases in acute phase reactants, including serum amyloid A protein (SAA); release of specific granule contents from neutrophils in vitro; a similarity (if not identity) to human lymphocyte activating factor (LAF) which is a monokine. Thus, LP may have a much broader role to play in the inflammatory response than just mediating fever.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011749:Pyrogens / Q000494:pharmacology
D007375:Interleukin-1; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011506:Proteins; D011749:Pyrogens; C008270:leukocyte endogenous mediator