Interleukin-1 and phorbol myristate acetate modulate the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in lymphocytes and glial cells

High affinity “peripheral-type” benzodiazepine binding sites were detected in an interleukin-1 (IL-1) responsive murine thymoma cell line EL4.NOB-1. Exposure of these cells to IL-1 over a period of at least 24 hr resulted in down-regulation of the binding sites. This effect was inhibited by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) which in these cells inhibits IL-1 binding to the type I IL-1 receptor. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), another activator of EL4.NOB-1 cells, had an opposite effect to IL-1 in that it increased binding site expression dramatically suggesting different mechanisms of action for these two effectors. IL-1 produced a similar response in the rat glioma cell line C6 whereas PMA was ineffective. Such modulation of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor may provide an insight into its physiological role and its possible participation in IL-1 actions in different cells.