Interleukin-1 beta, but not IL-1 alpha, stimulates cell proliferation in the adrenal cortex.
Endocrine and immune systems are closely interconnected, so the effect of interleukin-1 on adrenal cortex proliferation in vivo was investigated. Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta (0.1, 1 and 10 micrograms/kg) were given twice daily alone or in combination with interleukin-1 receptor-antibody (IL-1rAb) to adult male Wistar rats. The cell proliferation ratio was measured by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. BrdU-positive cells were counted in entire equatorial sections of the gland, and, in addition, separately for each adrenocortical zone. IL-1 beta (1 and 10 micrograms/kg) enhanced cell growth in the adrenal cortex. This was due to the stimulation of cell proliferation in the zona glomerulosa and fasciculata. IL-1rAb exerted an opposite effect, and reversed the stimulatory influence of IL-1 beta. IL-1 alpha did not evoke any significant changes in the proliferation ratio of the adrenocortical cells. The results indicate a close interconnection between the immune and endocrine systems with IL-1 beta providing a growth-promoting stimulus to adrenocortical cells.
Zieleniewski
W
W
Institute of Endocrinology, Lodz, Poland.
Zieleniewski
J
J
Stepień
H
H
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015383:Zona Fasciculata / Q000187:drug effects; D015384:Zona Glomerulosa / Q000187:drug effects
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006133:Growth Substances; D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins