Cytokine production by adrenal cortex in active tuberculosis

BINI E; CEREZO CORTES I; CRUZ VILLA JC; SANTUCCI N; GAMBOA DOMINGUEZ A; BAY ML; BOTTASSO O; HERNANDEZ PANDO R

Mazatlan

Congreso; III Congreso de la Sociedad Mexicana de Neuroinmunoendocrinología; 2017

Sociedad Mexicana de Neuroinmunoendocrinología

Introduction: In human and murine tuberculosis (TB) neuro-hormonal circuits are activated, such as the adrenal-hypothalamic-pituitary axis or the adrenergic nervous system, which leads to increased release of glucocorticoids (GC) and catecholamines. TB induces chronic stress with low levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone and adrenocorticotropin; while GC levels remain normal or are slightly elevated, suggesting a shift from central to local intra-adrenal regulation. Adrenal cortex cells express TLRs and their activation induces cytokines production, which regulates the synthesis of adrenal steroids. The aim of this study was to determine the production of diverse cytokines by adrenal glands of TB patients.Methods and Materials: Adrenals from 10 necropsies of individuals dying from TB and three controls were studied by immunohistochemistry to detect IL1, IL6, TNFα, TGFβ, IFNγ and IL10.Results: Adrenals from TB patients exhibited positive staining to all the studied cytokines, particularly strong was the immunostaining to IL-6, TNF and IL-1 in the cortical cells from the reticular and fascicular zones. Adrenals from controls revealed slight or negative immunostaining.Conclusions: Adrenal glands from TB patients produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could regulate the production of steroid hormones avoiding the central control.