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P HYSIOLOGICAL R EVIEWS
Vol. 79, No. 1, January 1999
Printed in U.S.A.
Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis by
Cytokines: Actions and Mechanisms of Action
ANDREW V. TURNBULL AND CATHERINE L. RIVIER
The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California; and North
Western Injury Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
I. Introduction
2
A. Hormones and cytokines: definitions
2
B. Concept of bidirectional communication between immune and neuroendocrine systems:
a historical perspective
2
C. Cytokines
5
D. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
8
II. Cytokine Influence on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Secretory Activity In Vivo
10
A. Animal studies
10
B. Human studies
12
III. Physiological/Pathophysiological Circumstances in Which Endogenous Cytokines Play a Role in
Regulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
13
A. Viral disease
13
B. Endotoxin treatment
14
C. Local inflammation
16
D. Physical and psychological stress
17
E. Basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity
18
IV. Cytokine Actions on the Central Nervous System, Pituitary, and Adrenal
18
A. Evidence that cytokines activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis primarily at the level of the
central nervous system
19
B. Evidence for direct effects of cytokines on pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion
26
C. Evidence for direct actions of cytokines on adrenal glucocorticoid secretion
30
V. Mechanisms of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activation by Interleukin-1
31
A. Direct actions on pituitary and adrenal
31
B. Penetration of cytokines into brain
32
C. Role of readily diffusible intermediates
33
D. Induction of intermediates at blood-brain barrier interface
36
E. Actions at circumventricular organs
37
F. Potential role of catecholamines and evidence of activation of medullary cell groups
39
G. Activation of vagal afferent fibers
40
H. Cytokine synthesis within brain
41
I. Local interleukin-1 induction of circulating interleukin-6
43
VI. Conclusions
43
Turnbull, Andrew V., and Catherine L. Rivier. Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis by Cyto-
kines: Actions and Mechanisms of Action. Physiol. Rev. 79: 1 – 71, 1999. — Glucocorticoids are hormone products
of the adrenal gland, which have long been recognized to have a profound impact on immunologic processes. The
communication between immune and neuroendocrine systems is, however, bidirectional. The endocrine and immune
systems share a common ‘‘chemical language,’’ with both systems possessing ligands and receptors of ‘‘classical’’
hormones and immunoregulatory mediators. Studies in the early to mid 1980s demonstrated that monocyte-derived
or recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) causes secretion of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis,
establishing that immunoregulators, known as cytokines, play a pivotal role in this bidirectional communication
between the immune and neuroendocrine systems. The subsequent 10 – 15 years have witnessed demonstrations
that numerous members of several cytokine families increase the secretory activity of the HPA axis. Because this
neuroendocrine action of cytokines is mediated primarily at the level of the central nervous system, studies investi-
gating the mechanisms of HPA activation produced by cytokines take on a more broad significance, with findings
relevant to the more fundamental question of how cytokines signal the brain. This article reviews published findings
that have documented which cytokines have been shown to influence hormone secretion from the HPA axis,
0031-9333/99 $15.00 Copyright
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ANDREW V. TURNBULL AND CATHERINE L. RIVIER
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determined under what physiological/pathophysiological circumstances endogenous cytokines regulate HPA axis
activity, established the possible sites of cytokine action on HPA axis hormone secretion, and identified the potential
neuroanatomic and pharmacological mechanisms by which cytokines signal the neuroendocrine hypothalamus.
I. INTRODUCTION
kines. It certainly reflects best the definition that would
have been applied at the time when the majority of the
work described in this article was performed. Under any
A. Hormones and Cytokines: Definitions
definition, the term cytokine encompasses the ‘‘mono-
kines’’ (monocyte/macrophage-derived mediators) and
‘‘lymphokines’’ (lymphocyte-derived mediators), which
Defining what is meant by the term hormone , and
were terms commonly used in the earlier studies de-
what is meant by the term cytokine , is certainly no easy
scribed in this review.
task. Indeed, the work reviewed in this article has changed
Table 1 was compiled of what is presently known of
many people’s opinion as to what our definitions of these
the features of hormones and cytokines. Although this is
classes of cell-cell signaling molecules should be. How-
again not definitive, it is fair to say that if the majority of
ever, we are faced at the outset with conveying to the
characteristics of the substance under consideration fit in
reader what ‘‘we’’ mean when we use the terms cytokines
the cytokine column, then the substance is a cytokine,
and hormones throughout this review.
and if the majority of characteristics fit in the hormone
A classical endocrinology textbook definition of a
column, then it is a hormone. It should be pointed out
hormone is ‘‘a biomolecule, which is produced by a spe-
that the same chemical substance could be classified dif-
cialized cell type, is secreted from a ductless gland di-
ferently depending on the ‘‘setting’’ under consideration.
rectly into the bloodstream, and acts on distant target
For example, prolactin produced by the pituitary and act-
cells/tissues, to regulate pre-existing cellular activities.’’
ing on the mammary gland is clearly acting in an ‘‘endo-
Chemically, hormones are small to large polypeptides,
crine hormone’’ fashion. However, prolactin can also be
proteins, glycoproteins, derivatives of aromatic amino
produced by, and act on, lymphocytes, a situation in
acids, or steroids. In the case of the pituitary peptide
which it might be better classified as a cytokine. Perhaps
hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), it is produced by
the key difference between cytokines and hormones that
corticotropes (specialized cell type) within the anterior
we indicate in Table 1 is that cytokines are regulators of
pituitary (a ductless gland), is secreted into the general
predominantly local tissue processes, whereas hormones
circulation, and acts predominantly on the adrenal cortex
function as regulators predominantly of ‘‘systemic’’ or
(a distant target) to enhance glucocorticoid secretion.
‘‘whole body’’ homeostasis.
This is perhaps a narrow view of a hormone, because
many ‘‘classical’’ hormones are also synthesized and act
within the brain and are produced and act locally within
B. Concept of Bidirectional Communication
the periphery. On the other hand, it is perhaps too broad,
Between Immune and Neuroendocrine Systems:
because under this definition CO 2 produced by exercising
a Historical Perspective
muscle and stimulating respiration might have to be con-
sidered a hormone also. However, it is a fairly accurate
description of what most people understand when think-
Regulation of the immune system by the adrenal
gland was observed as early as the middle of the 19th
ing of a hormone acting in a ‘‘classical endocrine fashion.’’
In contrast to hormones that have most commonly century when Thomas Addison (3) documented that a
patient with adrenal insufficiency had an excess of circu-
been associated with the ‘‘endocrine system,’’ cytokines
have been classically associated with the ‘‘immune sys- lating lymphocytes. In agreement with this observation,
removal of the adrenal gland of the rat was found to pro-
tem.’’ Defining a cytokine is even more difficult than de-
fining a hormone. For the purposes of the work described duce hypertrophy of the thymus (an organ responsible for
the manufacture of mature lymphocytes) (363). Perhaps
within this review, we found the definition used in The
Cytokine Handbook (862) most useful. Here cytokines are the best known of early experimental studies were those
of Hans Selye (764, 765), who found that enlargement
defined as ‘‘regulatory proteins secreted by white blood
cells and a variety of other cells in the body; the pleiotro- of the adrenal gland and involution of the thymus were
communal features of an animal’s response to stress, re-
pic actions of cytokines include numerous effects on cells
of the immune system and modulation of inflammatory gardless of the nature of the injurious insult. These early
studies clearly suggested a close association between ad-
responses.’’ This definition is somewhat narrow in that it
probably overemphasizes the importance of the immune renal gland physiology and immune activity.
The isolation of the active principal of the adrenal
system as a source and target, but probably reflects most
accurately people’s first thoughts when they think of cyto- cortex, cortisone, by Kendall and Reichstein in the late
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REGULATION OF HPA AXIS BY CYTOKINES
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TABLE 1. Features of cytokines and classical endocrine hormones
Cytokine
Classical Endocrine Hormone
Structure
Large polypeptides, proteins, or
Small to large polypeptides, proteins, glycoproteins, derivatives of
glycoproteins
aromatic amino acids, or steroids
Cell sources
Secreted by white blood cells (and many
Secreted by one type of specialized cell within a ductless gland
other cells in numerous types of tissues
(an ‘‘endocrine gland’’)
and organs)
Concentrations in healthy,
Very low (virtually absent); increase
Usually measurable and commonly display pulsatile and circadian
stress-free subjects
markedly during tissue disease, injury, or
patterns of secretion
repair
Location of action relative
Act predominantly locally, in a paracrine or
Act on distant target cells
to secretion
autocrine manner
Range of activities
‘‘Pleiotropic,’’ multiple target cell types and
Breadth of actions highly variable: many anterior pituitary
broad spectrum of actions
hormones (e.g., TSH, ACTH) have highly limited actions, but
‘‘target gland’’ hormones (e.g., T 3 ,T 4 , and glucocorticoids) have
very broad range of activities
‘‘Redundancy’’
Display great overlap of biological activities
Far less overlap of biological activities; deficiency in single
(i.e., ‘‘redundancy’’)
hormone usually produces marked abnormalities
Function
Function predominantly as regulators of
Function predominantly as regulators of systemic or ‘‘whole
local tissue processes
body’’ homeostasis
TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone; ACTH, adrenocorticotropin; T 3 , 3,3 * ,5-triiodothyronine; T 4 , thyroxine.
inflammation (335), gave support to the hypothesis that
adrenal glucocorticoid (GC) secretion plays a significant characterized by elevated plasma levels of GC (corticoste-
rone) (73). Furthermore, mice injected with supernatants
role in regulating immunologic processes. However, even
though marked elevations in the plasma blood concentra- from concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral blood or
spleen cells produce one or more GC-increasing factors
tion of GC are observed after all types of stressful stimuli,
studies showing that GC produce immunosuppression (GIF) that increase the blood concentrations of cortico-
sterone (68). These studies therefore suggested the exis-
were assumed (by the majority of workers) to be of phar-
macological, rather than of physiological, significance. tence of an immune-neuroendocrine regulatory feedback
mechanism in which immune cells limited their own activ-
These findings advented the widespread use of GC-based
therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory disease. It ity by secreting molecules that stimulate the secretion of
adrenal GC.
was not until the late 1970s and the pioneering work of
Besedovsky, del Rey, Sorkin, and colleagues that a physio-
The concept of ‘‘bidirectional communication’’ be-
tween immune and endocrine systems became firmly es-
logical role for GC in preventing overactivity, and preserv-
ing the specificity, of immune reactions became estab- tablished with the seminal works of Edwin Blalock and
co-workers in the early 1980s. These workers began to
lished (67, 191). In a significant review article of the early
1980s, Munck et al. (567) reinforced this concept. These describe molecular basis for such bidirectional communi-
cation (reviewed in Refs. 80 – 82, 952, 953). Their early
authors proposed the now commonly held view that en-
dogenous GC act to prevent ‘‘overshoot’’ of immune/in- studies showed a commonality in the pathways of action
of immunoregulators (e.g., interferon) and hormones
flammatory responses, thus limiting the host defense re-
sponse to fighting the aggressor (e.g., invading pathogen) (e.g., norepinephrine) (84). This group went on to dis-
cover that a number of classical hormones are not only
without the deleterious effects to the host of a hyperactive
immune system (e.g., autoimmunity). More recent work secreted by classical endocrine glands (e.g., pituitary) but
are also made by cells of the immune system (e.g., lym-
has indicated that the influence of GC on immunologic
processes is more complex than a generalized suppres- phocytes). For example, they showed that lymphocytes
synthesize ACTH, the pituitary hormone which is the ma-
sion of immune activity and depends on the type of im-
mune activity and the subset of immunologic cells in- jor physiological regulator of adrenal GC secretion (792).
In addition, they demonstrated that not only do lympho-
volved (see Ref. 531 for extensive review). However, it is
clear that endogenous GC are key regulators of immune cytes produce hormones such as ACTH, endorphins, thy-
rotropin, and growth hormone (792, 794, 951) but that
system function.
Further work by Besedovsky et al. (73) suggested these hormones were able to influence immunologic pro-
cesses (79, 83, 370, 371). Subsequent studies have demon-
that not only do GC have a profound impact on immune
activity, but that the converse is also true and immune strated that a number of hormones (e.g., prolactin, insulin-
like growth factor) are produced by lymphocytes (372,
activity influences GC secretion. This hypothesis grew out
of experimental observations that during the development 556, 557, 621).
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blood cells), rats mount a parallel endocrine response
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ANDREW V. TURNBULL AND CATHERINE L. RIVIER
Volume 79
an ACTH-like molecule, combined with the demonstration
that mice whose pituitary gland had been removed (hy- demonstrated a direct action of IL-1 on ACTH secretion
from primary cell cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells,
The finding that lymphocytes are able to synthesize resulted in articles being published back to back in a 1987
issue of Science (55, 62, 730). One of these studies (62)
pophysectomy) still produced a corticosterone response
to infection with the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), led thus supporting the earlier studies by Blalock and co-
workers (966) suggesting a direct action of IL-1 on the
Blalock and co-workers (793) to propose the concept of
lymphoid-adrenal axis. According to this hypothesis, pituitary gland to secrete ACTH. Conversely, the other
two Science papers (55, 730) found that IL-1 does not
ACTH produced by virus-stimulated lymphocytes acts on
the adrenal to increase corticosterone secretion. How- stimulate ACTH secretion from anterior pituitary cells in
primary culture, despite the fact that IL-1 in vivo elevates
ever, subsequent studies have failed to replicate the per-
sistance of an NDV-induced corticosterone response in plasma ACTH and GC concentrations. These latter two
groups (55, 730) showed that IL-1-induced ACTH secre-
hypophysectomized mice (64, 218, 221, 604), and the hy-
pothesis of a lymphoid-adrenal axis involving lymphoid tion in vivo is dependent on the secretion and action of
the hypothalamic 41-amino acid peptide CRF, which is the
production of ACTH molecule has fallen out of favor.
Furthermore, Besedovsky et al. (71) showed that stimu- major hypothalamic ACTH secretagogue. These findings
clearly implicate the hypothalamus as the site at which
lated lymphocytes secrete GIF that increase plasma ACTH
and corticosterone levels in rats and that this corticoste- the HPA axis response to IL-1 is mediated and gave great
support to the idea that immunoregulators could influence
rone response was prevented by hypophysectomy. Given
that the electrical and neurochemical activities of the hy- the activity of the central nervous system (CNS).
Controversy over the likely primary site of IL-1 action
pothalamus are also altered during the course of an im-
mune response (69, 72), Besedovsky et al. (71) proposed (CNS, pituitary gland, or possibly adrenal glands) in stimu-
lating pituitary-adrenal secretion has continued for many
that the effects of such GIF on adrenal GC secretion were
probably mediated at the hypothalamic component of the years and is considered in detail in sections IV and V .
However, a large body of evidence has now accumulated
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, rather than on
the pituitary or adrenal glands directly.
that indicates that IL-1 and other cytokines can signal the
brain. In parallel with studies investigating the relation-
The chemical identity of putative ‘‘GIF’’ became ap-
parent with the recognition that classical endocrine hor- ship between the immune system and HPA axis, a large
number of studies indicated that fever caused by invading
mones are not the only class of mediators involved in
immune-endocrine communication. Indeed, in the mid pathogens occurs as a result of the elaboration from im-
mune cells of an ‘‘endogenous pyrogen’’ capable of signal-
1980s, it became readily apparent that immunoregulatory
cytokines also form a key link between immune and neu- ing the CNS (reviewed in Refs. 23, 420). This endogenous
pyrogen was putatively identified as IL-1 (reviewed in Ref.
roendocrine systems (70, 331, 532, 966). Blalock and co-
workers (966) showed that the monokines interleukin 420). Furthermore, administration of IL-1 produces many
CNS-mediated changes including changes in behavior (re-
(IL)-1 and IL-6 (or hepatocyte-stimulating factor) stimu-
late ACTH secretion from the corticotropic tumor cell line duced exploration, reproductive activity, food-motivated
behavior, and increased sleep), changes in autonomic out-
AtT20. 1 A year later, Besedovsky et al. (70) demonstrated
that systemic administration of monocyte-derived or re- flow, metabolic rate, and the activity of a number of neuro-
endocrine axes (see Refs. 54, 65, 408, 409, 439, 440, 529,
combinant IL-1 increases plasma ACTH and GC concen-
trations in normal mice. Furthermore, Besedovsky et al. 683, 708 for relevant reviews). Collectively, these studies
have provided strong evidence for the regulation by IL-1 of
(70) demonstrated that neutralization of endogenous IL-
1 inhibits the GC response to experimental viral infection CNS responses to peripheral changes in immune activity.
Furthermore, the common mediator of the effects on vari-
(NDV) in rats. This latter experiment clearly indicated
that the observations of stimulatory effects of cytokines ous CNS responses provides a molecular basis for the
observations of the stereotypical responses to immune
on neuroendocrine secretion were not merely pharmaco-
logical phenomena and suggested that IL-1 plays an im- challenges of diverse origins. This ‘‘acute phase response’’
to sickness is characterized by fever, appetite suppres-
portant endogenous role in regulating the HPA axis during
viral disease. Indeed, these landmark studies by Besedov- sion, anorexia, alterations in plasma cation concentra-
tions, synthesis of specific liver proteins (known as acute
sky and Blalock indicated that cytokines could be the
extrahypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factors (CRF) phase proteins), and changes in neuroendocrine secre-
tions (441). It is now firmly established that acute phase
released by injured tissue which had previously been re-
ported by Broddish and co-workers during the 1970s (112, responses are produced by the actions of, and complex
interactions between, IL-1 and numerous other cytokines.
113, 497).
Subsequent work by three independent laboratories
Since the landmark studies by the groups of Besedov-
sky and Blalock, it has become apparent that IL-1 has
1 Interleukin literally means ‘‘between leukocytes.’’
potent effects on the secretion of the majority of hor-
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REGULATION OF HPA AXIS BY CYTOKINES
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TABLE 2. Influence of interleukin-1 on neuroendocrine
defense are now recognized. Accordingly, the expression
secretion
of these polypeptides and their receptors is not restricted
to cells of the immune system but is also found in many
Neuroendocrine System
Effect
Reference No.
other tissues (including the brain and endocrine glands).
Furthermore, many cytokines exert potent actions on a
Hypothalamic-pituitary-
Increases secretion
863, 883, 959
adrenal axis
variety of physiological activities outside of immunoregu-
Hypothalamic-pituitary-
Decreases secretion
683, 715, 882,
lation; for example, many cytokines induce fever, sleep,
gonadal axis
886
anorexia, malaise, and alterations in neuroendocrine se-
Hypothalamic-pituitary-
Decreases secretion
336, 358, 665,
thyroid axis
886
cretions. Finally, the ability of some cytokines to regulate
Somatotropic axis
Increases or decreases
634, 922
homeostatic processes at tissues distant from their site
secretion
of production has firmly established cytokines as key reg-
Prolactin secretion
Increases or decreases
671, 689
secretion
ulators of coordinated local and systemic responses to
Posterior pituitary
Increases secretion
158, 159, 446,
tissue trauma, infection, and disease.
hormone secretion
992
The classification of cytokines into families has
Catecholamines
Increases secretion
54, 695
proven somewhat arbitrary. With the exception of a few
homologous peptides (e.g., IL-1 a and -1 b ; interferon- a
and - b ; and tumor necrosis factor- a ,- b ) most cytokines
mones under neuroendocrine control (see Table 2). Fur-
share little sequence similarity. Consequently, classifica-
thermore, more recent studies have shown that alterations
tion of cytokines has been based on either functional attri-
in neuroendocrine secretion are produced not only by IL-
butes, target receptors, or cells of origin. Most commonly,
1, but also by many other immunoreglatory cytokines.
cytokines have been classified into families of interleu-
The HPA axis has remained the most extensively studied
kins, tumor necrosis factors (TNF), interferons (IFN),
neuroendocrine system with respect to the influence of
chemokines, hematopoietins (or neuropoietins), and col-
cytokines, and the ability to increase the secretory activity
ony-stimulating factors (CSF). Because of their similar
of this axis is a biological property of several interleukins,
actions particularly within the CNS and peripheral ner-
tumor necrosis factors, chemokines, hematopoietins, in-
vous system, growth factors (GF) and neurotrophins (NT)
terferons, growth factors, and neurotrophic factors.
have also been considered to fall under the umbrella term
This article reviews published findings that demon-
cytokine . Their overlapping actions lead to a number of
strate 1 ) which cytokines influence hormone secretion
cytokines belonging to more than one family (see Table
from the HPA axis, 2 ) under what physiological/patho-
3). For example, IL-6 is not only an interleukin, but also
physiological circumstances endogenous cytokines may
a member of a family of either hematopoietic or (neuro-
influence HPA axis secretory activity, 3 ) at which level
poietic) factors that utilize an identical receptor subunit
(hypothalamus, pituitary, or adrenal) cytokines primarily
(gp130) for cell signaling (416). Furthermore, IL-1, IL-3,
act, and 4 ) what anatomic and pharmacological pathways
IL-5, and IL-6 are also CSF.
mediate the actions of cytokines on the neuroendocrine
One of the striking features of cytokines is their abil-
hypothalamus. To achieve this aim, we have divided this
ity to exert many different actions (a property known as
article into sections corresponding to these overall objec-
‘‘pleiotropy’’) and, conversely, that many different cyto-
tives. We begin by providing brief introductions to rele-
kines exert the same biological actions (a property known
vant aspects of cytokine biology (see sect. I C ) and the
as ‘‘redundancy’’) (162, 633). Cytokine pleiotropy presum-
functional anatomy of the HPA axis (see sect. I D ).
ably relates to the widespread distribution of cytokine
receptors on numerous cell types and the ability of signal
transduction mechanisms activated by cytokines to alter
C. Cytokines
expression of a wide variety of target genes. The func-
tional redundancy of various cytokines has, at least par-
1. Cytokines and cytokine receptor families
tially, been explained by the identification and molecular
cloning of many cytokine receptors. Some, although cer-
Cytokines are large (8 – 60 kDa), soluble polypeptide
mediators that regulate growth, differentiation, and func- tainly not all, cytokine receptors consist of a multiunit
complex, including a cytokine-specific ligand binding
tion of many different cell types (see Table 3). The major-
ity of cytokines have been classically associated with the component and a ‘‘class’’-specific signal transduction unit
(416, 733). In addition to the gp130 signaling cytokines,
regulation of immune and/or inflammatory processes, and
within the immune system, their actions are generally ex- common receptor subunits have also been demonstrated
for IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7 (733) and also for IL-3, IL-5, and
erted in paracrine or autocrine fashions. However, be-
cause of the demonstration that immune, central nervous, granulocyte-macrophage CSF which share the signal
transduction subunit KH7 (552). However, cytokine re-
and neuroendocrine systems share a common chemical
language, much more diverse actions of cytokines in host dundancy cannot be totally explained by the sharing of
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