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Interleukin‐6, a growth promoting cytokine, is present in human pituitary adenomas: an immunocytochemical study
Author(s) -
Tsagarakis S.,
Kontogeorgos G.,
Glannou P.,
Thalassinos N.,
Woolley J.,
Besser G. M.,
Grossman A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1992.tb02301.x
Subject(s) - immunocytochemistry , prolactin , cytokine , endocrinology , adenoma , medicine , pituitary adenoma , biology , immunohistochemistry , null cell , prolactinoma , pituitary gland , pathology , hormone , cell culture , genetics
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in human pituitary adenomas. DESIGN Immunocytochemistry was performed in 15 cases of pituitary adenomas obtained at transsphenoldal surgery. PATIENTS Fifteen cases of pituitary adenomas were examined; these included five GH‐secreting adenomas, four prolactinomas, four ACTH‐secreting adenomas and two null‐cell (‘functionless’) adenomas. MEASUREMENTS Each tumour was stained for the presence of IL‐6 by means of the avidin‐blotin‐peroxidase complex (ABC) technique, and was also stained for GH, prolactin, ACTH and α‐subunit by conventional immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Fourteen of the 15 tumours examined, excepting one GH‐secreting tumour, demonstrated clusters of IL‐6 positively stained cells; the specificity of the staining was established by a significant decrease in staining in parallel sections of all tumours studied when the anti IL‐6 antibody was preabsorbed with recombinant human IL‐6. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that IL‐6 immunoreactivity is present in human pituitary tumours, and is independent of the specific secretory cell product. The role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of such tumours requires further investigation.