Growth hormone-releasing hormone stimulates the secretion of interleukin 17 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) plays a crucial role in the secretion of GH from the pituitary, acts as a growth factor in variety of cancer cells and possesses immunomodulatory activity. Interleukin(IL)-17 apart from its pro-inflammatory role has been also shown to play a role in carcinogenesis. The effect of GHRH on the IL-17 has not been studied so far.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of GHRH on the secretion of IL-17 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The concentrations of IL-17 in supernatants from PBMC cultured for 24 hrs were assessed using ELISA kit.

RESULTS: We show for the first time that GHRH can stimulate the secretion of IL-17 from human PBMC in 24 hrs culture, and that GHRH antagonist counteracts this effect.

CONCLUSION: Our study further elucidates the immunomodulatory role of GHRH.