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Mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes release biologically active corticotropin
B L Clarke1, B M Gebhardt, J E Blalock
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Endocrinology
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Activated lymphocytes release biologically active adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), stimulating corticosterone release from adrenal cells. This suggests a direct link between the immune and endocrine systems.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The interaction between the endocrine and immune systems is complex.
- Lymphocytes are key immune cells, while the adrenal gland produces crucial hormones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether activated lymphocytes can produce and release biologically active adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
- To explore the functional consequences of lymphocyte-derived ACTH on adrenal steroidogenesis in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Co-culturing activated lymphocytes with rat adrenal cells.
- Neutralizing antibody assays using anti-ACTH serum.
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure ACTH levels.
- Using semipermeable membranes to isolate cells.
Main Results:
- Mitogen-activated lymphocytes released biologically active ACTH that stimulated corticosterone release from adrenal cells.
- The steroidogenic activity was neutralized by anti-ACTH serum, confirming it was ACTH.
- Lymphocyte-secreted ACTH showed antigenic specificity identical to pituitary-derived ACTH.
- Local ACTH deposition by lymphocytes led to a higher effective concentration than exogenously added ACTH.
- Isolated lymphocytes could stimulate adrenal steroidogenesis, correlating with ACTH detection.
Conclusions:
- Activated lymphocytes synthesize and release biologically active ACTH.
- This study provides an in vitro model for bidirectional communication between the endocrine and immune systems.
- Lymphocyte-derived ACTH plays a role in regulating adrenal function.