Expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-6 receptor (gp80), and the receptor's signal-transducing subunit (gp130) in human normal pituitary glands and pituitary adenomas.

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important cytokine in cell proliferation and differentiation in several organs. It has also been reported that IL-6 plays a role in secretion or release of pituitary hormones in pituitary hormone-secreting cells and pituitary adenomas, but convincing data in situ have not yet been reported. In this study, we examined the participation of IL-6 in the production of pituitary hormones and the differences between human normal pituitary glands and pituitary adenomas by determination of the localization or expression of IL-6, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R, gp80), and the signal-transducing subunit (gp130) of the receptor using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. IL-6 was mainly expressed in ACTH- and FSH/LH-secreting cells in normal pituitary glands, as shown by double staining. gp 80 and gp130 were coexpressed in almost all GH- and PRL-secreting cells and in approximately 30% of FSH/LH-secreting cells. RT-PCR showed that IL-6 mRNA was expressed in only one of all the pituitary adenomas examined, whereas gp 80 and gp 130 mRNAs were detected in all these pituitary adenomas. In conclusion, IL-6 was mainly expressed in ACTH- and FSH/LH-secreting cells, and the receptors were expressed in GH-, PRL- and FSH/LH-secreting cells in human normal pituitary glands. Furthermore, our data emphasized that the mechanism of IL-6 function in human pituitary adenoma cells is distinct from that in normal pituitary cells.

• Authors: R Kurotani, M Yasuda, K Oyama, N Egashira, M Sugaya, A Teramoto, R Y Osamura
• Journal: Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc (Mod Pathol) Vol. 14 Issue 8 Pg. 791-7 (Aug 2001) ISSN: 0893-3952 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11504839 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• IL6ST protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Pituitary Hormones
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, Interleukin-6
• S100 Proteins
• interleukin-6 receptor alpha
• Cytokine Receptor gp130

Topics

• Adenoma (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD (analysis, genetics)
• Cytokine Receptor gp130
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Interleukin-6 (analysis, genetics)
• Male
• Membrane Glycoproteins (analysis, genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Pituitary Gland (metabolism, pathology)
• Pituitary Hormones (analysis)
• Pituitary Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Interleukin-6 (analysis, genetics)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• S100 Proteins (analysis)