M. Schultzberg et al., INTERLEUKIN-1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST PROTEIN AND MESSENGER-RNA IN THE RAT ADRENAL GLAND, Journal of interferon & cytokine research, 15(8), 1995, pp. 721-729
The occurrence of the endogenous receptor antagonist for the cytokine
interleukin-1 in the rat adrenal gland was analyzed by polymerase chai
n reaction and by immunohistochemistry using a rabbit polyclonal antis
erum. Expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist mRNA was demonst
rated in both adrenal medulla and cortex, and a marked increase in the
transcription was observed after systemic administration of lipopolys
accharides. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist immunoreactivity was see
n in the adrenal medulla, and the immunofluorescence intensity was str
onger in the adrenergic, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase-positi
ve cells than in the noradrenergic chromaffin cells. The distribution
of interleukin-l receptor antagonist protein is complementary to that
of interleukin-1 alpha-like immunoreactivity found in phenylethanolami
ne N-methyltransferase-negative cells and overlaps with and resembles
the distribution of interleukin-1 beta-immunoreactive material. The ex
pression of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the adrenal gland
complements previous findings of large constitutive pools of interleu
kin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta in this neuroendocrine organ and al
so suggests participation of adrenal interleukin-1 receptor antagonist
in neuroimmune modulation.