title: Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) activation of NF-kappaB-directed transcription in leukocytes.
abstract: 1. The aim of this study was to test whether CRF enhanced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB)-directed gene transcription in leukocytes and the receptor specificity of the effect. Initially, we examined the ability of CRF to modulate an antigen-specific, in vitro antibody response. Since that could be mediated by NF-kappaB transcription factor activity, we tested CRF in a NF-kappaB driven luciferase gene expression reporter assay. 2. CRF enhanced the antigen-specific antibody production in a dose- and time-dependent manner. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and splenocytes stained by immunohistochemistry were positive for CRF receptors and CRF. Expression of both was up-regulated by mitogen treatment of the splenocytes. CRF also enhanced the NF-kappaB-regulated reporter assay and this could be blocked by a CRF-R1 receptor antagonist. 3. In light of these findings, it seems likely that CRF enhanced the antigen-specific antibody response through the CRF-R1 receptor by elevation of NF-kappaB activity. This study provides further support for the concept that CRF can act as an immunomodulator mediating neuro-immune interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. esmith@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregg
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.forename: Liesl
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schott
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone