Endocrine and Immune System : Crosstalk between Endocrine Cells and Immune System(Advances of immunology in basic and clinical fields,Symposium)

摘要

Bi-directional interaction between the immune and endocrine system may represent an important mechanism that maintains homeostasis during acute inflammation. Systemic immune challenge by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide induces the production of several cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1, 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, thereby activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. IL-6 has been reported to be a potent stimulator of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion in human without minimal side effect. Thus, IL-6 might be employed as a challenge test of ADH and ACTH. Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH (SIADH) in patients with inflammatory disorders and malignancies may result from the production of IL-6. Recently it has been demonstrated that the principal hypothalamic regulator of the HPA axis, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), has proinflammatory effects. Site of inflammation contains large amounts of CRF (immune CRF). Immunoreactive CRF is locally secreted in the synovium of patient with rheumatoid arthritis and concentration of CRF in synovial fluid is high. Thus, antagonist of CRF may control inflammatory disease in which CRF has a primary pathological role. Understanding of the endocrineimmune system interactions may provide a new insight into elucidation of the mechanism of the disease and development of diagnostic as well as therapeutic agents in the future.