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Cellular immune-endocrine interaction in adrenocortical tissues.
C Marx1, S R Bornstein, G W Wolkersdörfer
1Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Leipzig, Germany.
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|April 3, 2001
Summary
Immune cells interacting with adrenal cells boost androgen production and protect immune cells from death. This suggests a direct link between the immune and adrenal systems influencing hormone regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Adrenal cells possess immune-like features, suggesting communication between adrenal and immune systems.
- Investigating immune-adrenal interactions is crucial for understanding endocrine and immune system crosstalk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immune-adrenal interactions.
- To examine the role of MHC class II (HLA-DR) expression in adrenocortical cells.
- To assess the impact of lymphocyte-adrenocortical cell contact on steroid production and lymphocyte survival.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry used to detect MHC class II (HLA-DR) expression in adrenocortical tumors.
- Coculture systems of NCI-H295 adrenocortical carcinoma cells and lymphocytes employed.
- Steroid production and lymphocyte survival were measured under coculture conditions.
Main Results:
- MHC class II (HLA-DR) mRNA detected in benign and malignant adrenal tissues, but not in the NCI-H295 cell line.
- Direct coculture reduced spontaneous apoptosis of immune cells.
- Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) synthesis by tumor cells significantly increased.
- No differences observed between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Conclusions:
- Direct contact between lymphocytes and adrenocortical cells appears to regulate peripheral androgen synthesis.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this immune-adrenal interaction remain unknown.
- Ligation of MHC class II antigens may represent a mechanism for peripheral regulation of androgen secretion in normal adrenal glands.