Cytokine regulation of endothelin-1 release from bovine aortic endothelial cells.

The action of cytokines on the endothelium is a pivotal event in a number of vascular pathologies and inflammatory conditions. Here we have tested the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta, and IL-2 on endothelial-1 (ET-1) release from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta caused concentration-dependent increases in ET-1 release. IL-2 up to concentrations of 100 ng/ml did not stimulate ET-1 release. The induction of ET-1 synthesis by cytokines may be of underlying importance in the endothelial cell dysfunction observed in a number of vascular diseases.