CYTOKINES AND EVOLUTION - IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF IL-1-ALPHA, IL-1-BETA, TNF-ALPHA AND TNF-BETA ON AN ANCESTRAL TYPE OF STRESS-RESPONSE

Invertebrate hemocytes are immune-neuroendocrine cells which contain a variety of cytokines [Ottaviani et al. (1993) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 195, 984-988] and release biogenic amines when added to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a phenomenon we have described as an evolutionary proto-type stress response [Ottaviani et al. (1998) Proc. R. Soc. Lend. B 245, 215-218]. Here we show in two molluscs, Planorbarius corneus and Viviparus ater, that this response is significantly reduced when hemocytes are pre-incubated with IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta before the addition of CRF. These results confirm and extend the hypothesis that a deep evolutionary relationship exists between cytokines and stress response. Moreover, these data offer an evolutionary basis for understanding the promiscuity of cytokine receptors. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.