A complete corticotropin releasing factor system localized in human fetal lung.
OBJECTIVE
The Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) system (neuropeptides CRF, Ucn I, II, III and binding sites CRFR1, CRFR2, CRF-BP) is responsible for stress regulation and the homeostasis of an organism. Herein we study the CRF system in human normal and pathological fetal lungs.


METHODS
Lung tissues from 46 archival human fetuses were divided into Group A (normal), Group B (chromosomal abnormalities) and Group C (congenital disorders). Presence of elements of the CRF system was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and was correlated to pathology, lung developmental stage and clinicopathological characteristics.


RESULTS
Immunoreactivity for all antigens was found in both epithelial and mesenchymal lung cells of the bronchi and alveoli. Ucn I and CRFR1 were more frequently present in Group A. Ucns were more frequently localized at the pseudoglandular stage. There was a positive correlation between the presence of the CRF neuropeptides and between CRFR1 and CRF. Two fetuses with lung malformations showed low or no detectable presence of the CRF system.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the presence of a complete CRF system in human fetal lungs correlating its developmental stage and several pathologies. Our results are in agreement with findings in experimental animal models, implicating the CRF system in fetal lung development, its action being more significant in the early stages.
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Efterpi
E
Chouridou
Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Maria
M
Lambropoulou
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Maria
M
Koureta
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Ioanna
I
Balgouranidou
Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Evangelia
E
Nena
Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kapodistriako University of Athens; Greece.
Maria
M
Simopoulou
Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Nikolaos
N
Papadopoulos
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Alexandros
A
Kortsaris
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine; Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis; Greece.
Ekaterini
E
Chatzaki
D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D015619:Respiratory System Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054832:Urocortins / Q000032:analysis; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; C426705:UCN2 protein, human; C426704:UCN3 protein, human; D054832:Urocortins; C067133:corticotropin releasing factor-binding protein; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone