THE ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF THE IMMUNE CELLS IN THE INITIATION OF HUMORAL IMMUNITY

The endocrine functions of different hormones are well documented. Rec ently, however, evidence of the immune function of several hormones ha s been accumulated. These findings raised the possibility that immune cells might secrete hormones and in turn self-regulate different immun e functions. Indeed, immune cells have been found to secrete different peptide and protein hormones. Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) is t he most studied and was found to be secreted by lymphocytes. In the pr esent authors' laboratory, it was found that not only do lymphocytes s ecrete ACTH but also that circulating concentrations of corticosterone increased following antigen challenge. It was also observed that at t he time of the increased corticosterone, there was a redistribution of different lymphocyte subpopulations from the blood to spleen, the sit e of antigen presentation and antibody production. It was concluded th at the endocrine function of lymphocytes might be important in the ini tiation of antibody production in chickens.