The effects of interleukin‐2 treatment on endothelin and the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis

Abstract

Our data demonstrate that cytokines are able to activate the human hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in vivo. On the basis of the observed time kinetics and in connection with previous findings from in vitro and animal models, we conclude that endothelin may be a link between cytokines and corticotrophin-releasing hormone, most probably functioning as a cytokine-induced neuromodulator controlling pituitary functions.