Interleukin-1 directly stimulates the release of corticotrophin releasing factor from rat hypothalamus.

Journal article

While interleukin-1 (IL-1), a monocyte-derived polypeptide, clearly stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, its precise site of action is controversial. In these studies, the possibility of a hypothalamic and/or a pituitary site of action was investigated in vitro, using incubated rat hypothalami and perifused dispersed pituitary cells. Both forms of IL-1, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, produced a dose-dependent stimulation of CRF-41 release from incubated rat hypothalami in the dose range of 1-100 U/ml (p less than 0.01). However, concentrations of both interleukins of 1-1,000 U/ml given as 10-min infusions had no effect on ACTH release from dispersed pituitary cells. Moreover, IL-1 beta, used in the concentration range of 1-100 U/ml, was unable to potentiate CRF-41-induced ACTH release. These data therefore provide evidence that at least the acute stimulatory effects of IL-1 on the HPA axis are predominantly mediated via a direct stimulation of hypothalamic CRF-41, suggesting that the hypothalamus may provide an interface between the neuroendocrine and immune axes.

Authors: Tsagarakis, S; Gillies, G; Rees, L; Besser, M; Grossman, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Neuroendocrinology
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 98-101
• Publication date: 1989-01-01
• DOI: 10.1159/000125096
• EISSN: 1423-0194
• ISSN: 0028-3835
• Language: English
• Keywords: Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Animals; Interleukin-1; Pituitary Gland; Rats, Inbred Strains; Hypothalamus; Male; Rats