Expression of IL-6 mRNA in normal rat and human pituitaries and in human pituitary adenomas.
Cells expressing IL-6 mRNA were detected by in situ hybridization in normal pituitaries. In normal untreated rat pituitary the expression was very low. Within hours after IP administration of liposaccharide, IL-6 mRNA accumulated in the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Production of IL-6 was monitored after dissociation and culture of pituitary cells. High levels (8000 pg/ml) were recovered after 72 hr in culture. In normal human pituitaries, less than 1% of cells expressed IL-6 mRNA or IL-6 receptor mRNA (IL-6-R mRNA). In gonadotropinomas, prolactinomas, and non-functioning adenomas, only rare, scattered positive cells were found for either IL-6 or IL-6-R. In contrast, both genes were highly expressed in ACTH- and GH-secreting tumors at the junction of adenoma and infiltrating fibrous tissue and around blood vessels. The combined expression of IL-6 and IL-6-R suggests that IL-6 acts in an autocrine or in a paracrine way in ACTH and GH adenomas.
Velkeniers
B
B
Department of Pharmacology, University of Brussels, Belgium.
Vergani
P
P
Trouillas
J
J
D'Haens
J
J
Hooghe
R J
RJ
Hooghe-Peters
E L
EL
D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000737:chemistry; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D013154:Spleen / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone