A new view on immune-adrenal interactions: role for Fas and Fas ligand?

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the immune system interact in a bidirectional manner providing the basis for the regulation of the immune response due to a pathogenic stimulus. This interplay is commonly believed to be based on the action of hormones or cytokines, respectively. Since it has been detected that adrenocortical cells offer immunological properties such as expression of MHC class II antigens and/or CD95 (Fas antigen) and its ligand, the question has to be raised whether direct intercellular communication between immune cells and 'immunocompetent' endocrine cells contributes to the complexity of immunoregulation. Here we discuss the possible reciprocal relevance of physiological and pathological adrenal changes, as well as T-cell-mediated immune response for immune and/or adrenal pathology during disease.