Open AccessIL‐1 is expressed in human adrenal gland in vivo. Possible role in a local immune‐adrenal axis
Author(s) -
GONZÁLEZHERNÁNDEZ J. A.,
BORNSTEIN S. R.,
EHRHARTBORNSTEIN M.,
GSCHWEND J. E.,
GWOSDOW A.,
JIRIKOWSKI G.,
SCHERBAUM W. A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1995.tb03484.x
Subject(s) - in situ hybridization , immunostaining , paracrine signalling , adrenal gland , biology , immune system , autocrine signalling , zona glomerulosa , endocrinology , medicine , zona reticularis , messenger rna , immunology , immunohistochemistry , cell culture , gene , receptor , biochemistry , genetics , angiotensin ii , blood pressure
SUMMARY IL‐1 is an important mediator in the dialogue between the immune system and the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis. A direct influence of IL‐1 upon adrenal steroidogenesis has been demonstrated in experimental animals. We therefore designed a study to see if IL‐1 is expressed within the normal human adrenal gland. The combination of in situ hybridization and specific immunostaining to IL‐1β was eminently suited to demonstrate both mRNA and protein production. The specific immunostaining of the different cells combined with in situ hybridization (IL‐1) allowed us to identify the exact cellular source of IL‐1. IL‐1 mRNA occurred in the zona reticularis in 17α‐hydroxyiase positive steroid cells surrounding the adrenomedullary cells. Some CD68 + macrophages in this zona showed a positive signal. A weak signal was seen to IL‐1 mRNA in few chromaffin cells, while IL‐1‐like immunoreactivity was more frequent. We conclude that in the normal situation in man IL‐1 is mainly expressed in specialized cortical cells. The occurrence of the major glucocorticoid inducing factor in the normal human adrenal gland itself provides evidence for an autocrine or paracrine reaction under physiological conditions.