Peripheral corticotropin-releasing hormone is produced in the immune and reproductive systems: actions, potential roles and clinical implications.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the principal regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, has been identified in various organ systems, including the immune and the female and male reproductive systems. CRH-like immunoreactivity has been reported in peripheral inflammatory sites and in a number of reproductive organs, including the ovaries, endometrial glands, decidualized endometrial stroma, placenta, decidua, and the testes. Therefore, "immune" and "reproductive" CRH are forms of "tissue" CRH; i.e., CRH found in peripheral tissues. Immune CRH plays a direct immunomodulatory role as an autocrine/paracrine mediator of inflammation. Immune CRH participates in several experimental inflammations and, in humans, in inflamed tissues from patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. One of the early effects of immune CRH is the degranulation of mast cells and the release of histamine and several inflammatory cytokines. Reproductive CRH is regulating reproductive functions with an inflammatory component, such as ovulation, luteolysis, decidualization, implantation, and early maternal tolerance. Placental CRH participates in the physiology of pregnancy and the onset of labor. Circulating placental CRH is responsible for the physiologic hypercortisolism of the latter half of pregnancy. Postpartum, this hypercortisolism is followed by a transient adrenal suppression, which may explain the blues/depression and increased autoimmune phenomena observed during this period.
Kalantaridou
Sophia
S
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Panepistimiou Avenue, 45110, Ioannina, Greece. sophia_kalanta@yahoo.gr
Makrigiannakis
Antonis
A
Zoumakis
Emmanouil
E
Chrousos
George P
GP
D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005835:Genitalia / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone