A Stimulatory Effect of Interleukin-1 on Adrenocortical Cortisol Secretion Mediated by Prostaglandins*

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Abstract
Studies using cultured bovine adrenocortical cells now demonstrate that the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) .alpha. and .beta., contrary to previous reports, can stimulate cortisol secretion in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. However, detectable levels of IL-1 receptor could not be demonstrated in adrenal cortical, medullary, or capsular cells by membrane displacement of iodinated II-1.alpha. by unlabeled IL-1.beta., a technique that readily demonstrates specific IL-1.alpha.-binding sites on 3T3 fibroblasts. The stimulatory effect of IL-1 on cortisol secretion could be totally blocked by indomethacin, an indication that this effect might be mediated indirectly via local release of prostaglandins (PGs). Subsequent investigations have confirmed that IL-1 does enhance the conversion of [3H]arachidonate to PGs by cultured adrenal cells, and that some of these PGs (PGD2, PGF2.alpha., and PGE2), in turn, can stimulate cortisol production. Taken together these observations suggest that IL-1-induced stimulation of cortisol secretion is mediated through local release of PGs by a small subpopulation of cells within the adrenal gland.