Lymphoid cells produce an immunoregulatory glucocorticoid increasing factor (GIF) acting through the pituitary gland

Products are released in vitro by mitogen stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or rat spleen cells which increase corticosterone blood levels when injected into normal rats. We report that an almost pure population of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and experimental immunology 1985-03, Vol.59 (3), p.622-628
Main Authors: BESEDOVSKY, H. O, DEL REY, A, SORKIN, E, LOTZ, W, SCHWULERA, U
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood
Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Cell interactions
Concanavalin A - pharmacology
Corticosterone - blood
Dexamethasone - pharmacology
Feedback
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Glucocorticoids - physiology
Humans
Hypophysectomy
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiology
Immunobiology
Lymphocyte Activation
Lymphocytes - metabolism
Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology
Pituitary Gland - drug effects
Pituitary Gland - physiology
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiology
Rats
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Summary:Products are released in vitro by mitogen stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or rat spleen cells which increase corticosterone blood levels when injected into normal rats. We report that an almost pure population of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin also produces a glucocorticoid increasing factor(s). The product equivalent to the amount released by 5 X 10(5) cells increased corticosterone levels four-fold and also increased ACTH levels. When rats were hypophysectomized or treated with dexamethasone to block ACTH output, no corticosterone increase was noted following administration of glucocorticoid increasing factor(s) (GIF). Similar results were obtained with supernatants of rat spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin A. We conclude that GIF has no direct action on the adrenals in vivo and that a functional pituitary gland is essential for its action. The presented data taken together with those described earlier suggest the existence of a glucocorticoid associated immunoregulatory feedback circuit.
ISSN:0009-9104
1365-2249