Stimulation by interleukin-1 (IL-1) of the release of rat corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which is independent of the cholinergic mechanism, from superfused rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial complexes.

The effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon-gamma (Ifn-gamma) on the release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) from superfused hypothalamo-neurohypophysial complexes (HNC) of rats were examined in the present study. In this in vitro system, the release of CRF from HNC was not affected by any dose of human recombinant Ifn-gamma tested (0.1, 1 and 10 nM). In contrast, a rapid increase of CRF from HNC was elicited in a dose-dependent manner by human recombinant IL-1 alpha and -1 beta in concentrations of 0.1-10 nM. The involvement of the cholinergic system in the mediation of the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on CRF release was evaluated. Acetylcholine in concentrations of 1-100 nM also elicited a rapid increase of CRF. The increase in CRF release induced by 10 nM of acetylcholine was completely suppressed in the presence of both hexamethonium (10 microM) and atropine (50 microM), a nicotinic and a muscarinic receptor antagonist, respectively. On the other hand, the increase in CRF release induced by 10 nM IL-1 alpha or -1 beta was not affected by these two antagonists. These results indicate that IL-1 stimulates CRF release through an action on the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system, most likely on the hypothalamus, and that the stimulatory effect of IL-1 is probably independent of the cholinergic system.