Phm. Balm et al., NEUROIMMUNOLOGICAL REGULATION OF ALPHA-MSH RELEASE IN TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS-MOSSAMBICUS), Fish physiology and biochemistry, 11(1-6), 1993, pp. 125-130
This study describes the effects of IL-1 (interleukin 1) and LPS (bact
erial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide) on the release of alpha-MSH (alpha
melanocyte stimulating hormone) from the neurointermediate lobe (NIL)
of the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). In vivo treatment o
f tilapia with IL-1 for 8 days led to a 49% inhibition of basal alpha-
MSH release, measured by means of an in vitro micro-superfusion techni
que. The treatment did not affect the sensitivity of the tissue to TRH
. In vitro, the release of alpha-MSH was inhibited by LPS in a dose de
pendent manner. In addition to its effects on the unstimulated release
of the hormone, LPS also blunted the response to a TRH stimulation. T
ogether with recent results obtained by others demonstrating the effec
ts of (neuro-)peptides on immune parameters and the presence of cytoki
nes in fish, the present data establish the bidirectional character of
the communication between the immune and the (neuro-)endocrine system
s in teleosts.