Interleukin-6 and the Interleukin-6 Receptor in the Human Adrenal Gland: Expression and Effects on Steroidogenesis1

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a potent activator of the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. After chronic administration of IL-6 in humans, there is a substantial elevation of cortisol, whereas ACTH levels are blunted. Thus, we investigated whether IL-6 and/or the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) are expressed in the human adrenal gland and whether IL-6 could cause the release of steroid hormones by a direct action on adrenal cells in primary culture. The...