INTERLEUKIN-1 STIMULATES THE RELEASE OF INTERLEUKIN-6 FROM CULTURED HUMAN PITUITARY-ADENOMA CELLS

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was secreted by cultured cells of 7 out of 11 human pituitary adenomas that were examined. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulated IL-6 release after a 24-h incubation period in five of the seven IL-6-secreting adenoma cultures and in all seven after 72 h. Tumour necrosis factor, interferon-gamma and epidermal growth factor did not significantly affect IL-6 secretion. Interleukin-1 failed to induce measurable IL-6 in the cultures that did not secrete IL-6 under basal conditions. Prostaglandin E2 did not influence basal IL-6 secretion and indomethacin did not inhibit IL-1-stimulated IL-6 release. In addition, pertussis toxin had no effect on IL-1-stimulated IL-6 release. The growth hormone (GH) secretory response to IL-1 varied, with stimulation in one GH-secreting adenoma culture, no significant effect in a second and inhibition in a third. Interleukin-1 did not significantly affect the release of prolactin, thyrotrophin, luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone in any of the adenoma cultures. This study provides evidence that IL-1 is a stimulator of IL-6 release from cultured human pituitary adenoma cells that secrete IL-6. Stimulation of IL-6 release by IL-1 in these tumour cells is probably not mediated by prostaglandins or by a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism.