Peripheral endotoxin induces hypothalamic immunoreactive interleukin‐1β in the rat

Abstract

Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is a polypeptide produced by a variety of cells and contributes to the general host response to inflammation. It displays a wide spectrum of inflammatory, metabolic, physiological, haematopoietic and immunological activities. Brain cells, including neurones, microglia, endothelial cells and astrocytes can all produce IL‐1β in response to various physiological and pathological stimuli. In this report we show that peripherally administered endotoxin stimulates the appearance of immunoreactive IL‐1β (IL‐1β) in the rat hypothalamus as measured by an ultrasensitive, highly specific enzyme amplified immunometric assay for rat IL‐1β. 1993 British Pharmacological Society