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Differential effects of recombinant interleukin-1 alpha and beta on Leydig cell function
J H Calkins1, H Guo, M M Sigel
1Medical and Research Services, WJB Dorn Veterans Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|March 16, 1990
Summary
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) affects testosterone production in Leydig cells. Human recombinant IL-1 beta significantly inhibits testosterone synthesis, while IL-1 alpha is less potent, indicating differential Leydig cell sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates testosterone biosynthesis.
- Natural human interleukin-1 (IL-1) was previously shown to inhibit hCG-stimulated testosterone production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of human and murine recombinant IL-1 (rIL-1) on Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
- To compare the potencies of different forms of rIL-1 in inhibiting testosterone production.
Main Methods:
- Primary culture of Leydig cells.
- Stimulation of testosterone production using hCG, 8-bromo cyclic AMP, and forskolin.
- Treatment with human and murine recombinant IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta.
Main Results:
- Human recombinant IL-1 beta dose-dependently inhibited testosterone formation induced by hCG, 8-bromo cyclic AMP, and forskolin.
- Human recombinant IL-1 alpha was significantly less potent than human rIL-1 beta.
- Murine rIL-1 alpha and human rIL-1 beta were at least 100-fold more potent than human rIL-1 alpha in inhibiting testosterone production, even after correcting for biological potencies.
Conclusions:
- Leydig cells display differential sensitivity to IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta.
- This differential sensitivity is partly species-dependent.
- IL-1 beta is a more potent inhibitor of Leydig cell steroidogenesis than IL-1 alpha.