AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 268, Issue 1 E114-E120, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Differential release of tumor necrosis factor and IL-6 from adrenal zona glomerulosa cells in vitro

A. M. Judd and R. M. MacLeod
Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602.

In previous studies, rat adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells were demonstrated to release interleukin-6 (IL-6). In the current study, cultures of ZG cells and bioassays for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6 were used to determine if ZG cells release TNF and to define more fully the factors that regulate ZG IL-6 release. ZG cells released IL-6 and TNF, and this release was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, a protein kinase C activator, and a calcium ionophore without affecting intracellular adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content. In contrast, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased the intracellular cAMP content, increased basal and secretagogue-stimulated IL-6 release but decreased basal and secretagogue-stimulated TNF release. The effects of ACTH on IL-6 and TNF release may be mediated by increases in intracellular cAMP because ACTH and dibutyryl cAMP modified IL-6 and TNF release in an identical manner. Therefore, IL-6 and TNF release from ZG cells can be differentially regulated. Because IL-6 and TNF modify adrenal steroid release, the adrenal production of these cytokines may have a role in the stress response.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. A. Houghtling and B. M. Bayer Rapid Elevation of Plasma Interleukin-6 by Morphine Is Dependent on Autonomic Stimulation of Adrenal Gland J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., January 1, 2002; 300(1): 213 - 219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]