Differential release of tumor necrosis factor and IL-6 from adrenal zona glomerulosa cells in vitro.

In previous studies, rat adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells were demonstrated to release interleukin-6 (IL-6). In the current study, cultures of ZG cells and bioassays for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6 were used to determine if ZG cells release TNF and to define more fully the factors that regulate ZG IL-6 release. ZG cells released IL-6 and TNF, and this release was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, a protein kinase C activator, and a calcium ionophore without affecting intracellular adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content. In contrast, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased the intracellular cAMP content, increased basal and secretagogue-stimulated IL-6 release but decreased basal and secretagogue-stimulated TNF release. The effects of ACTH on IL-6 and TNF release may be mediated by increases in intracellular cAMP because ACTH and dibutyryl cAMP modified IL-6 and TNF release in an identical manner. Therefore, IL-6 and TNF release from ZG cells can be differentially regulated. Because IL-6 and TNF modify adrenal steroid release, the adrenal production of these cytokines may have a role in the stress response.