Stimulation of interleukin-6 production by corticotropin-releasing factor

• Published in: Cellular immunology Vol. 143; no. 1; pp. 220 - 227
• Main Authors: Leu, Sy-Jye Christine, Singh, Vijendra K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.08.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immunobiology; Inflammation - metabolism; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Modulation of the immune response (stimulation, suppression); Human; Hypothalamic hormone; Interleukin 6; Mononuclear cell; ACTH-RH; Peptide hormone; Stimulation; Biosynthesis; Hormone releasing factor; Mechanism of action; Neuroimmunomodulation
• ISSN: 0008-8749; 1090-2163
• DOI: 10.1016/0008-8749(92)90018-K

Based on the immune-modulating properties of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the effect of this peptide for interIeukin-6 (IL-6) production was investigated. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC), the amount of bioactive IL-6 produced was significantly ( P ⩽ 0.05) increased by CRF (10 −10 to 10 −7 M range). However, the IL-6 production of lipopolysac-charide-treated MNC cultures was not modified. At concentrations of ⩾ 10 n M, CRF and two analogous peptides (Tyr-CRF and α-helical CRF) elicited 16- to 21-fold stimulation of IL-6 production by MNC. Purified monocytes, but not purified lymphocytes, were the cells that responded to CRF action exhibiting nearly 19-fold stimulation at 100 n M concentration. The CRF-induced production of IL-6 cytokine by peripheral blood MNC may suggest a messenger role for this neurohormone in the feedback control of neuroendocrine-immune circuitry.