title: Corticotropin-releasing Factor Changes the Phenotype and Function of Dendritic Cells in Mouse Mesenteric Lymph Nodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dendritic cells (DCs) are a significant contributor to the pathology of numerous chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders; however, the effects of Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on intestinal DCs are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of CRF in alterations of intestinal dendritic cell phenotype and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse mesenteric lymph node dendritic cells (MLNDCs) were obtained using magnetic bead sorting. Surface expression of CRF receptor type 1 (CRF-R1) and CRF-R2 was determined by double-labeling immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and MLNDCs were subsequently exposed to CRF in the presence or absence of CRF-R1 and CRF-R2 antagonists. Expression of surface molecules (MHC-I and MHC-II) and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) was determined by flow cytometric and western blot analyses, and the T cell stimulatory capacity of MLNDCs was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunofluorescent staining and quatitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that both the CRF receptors (CRF-R1 and CRF-2) are expressed on the surface of MLNDCs. Exposure to CRF increased the expression of MHC-II on MLNDCs as well as their capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation. MLNDCs treated with CRF-R1 antagonist exhibited a phenotype characterized by a less activated state and reduced surface expression of MHC-II, and consequently showed reduced capacity to stimulate T cells. In contrast, treatment of MLNDCs with CRF-R2 antagonist yielded an opposite result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRF can alter the phenotype and function of intestinal DCs through direct action on CRF-R1 and CRF-R2, and activation of the CRF-R1 and CRF-R2 pathways yields opposing outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8921-2533
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiaoteng
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3381-6976
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lina
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhe
keywords: Corticotropin-releasing hormone; Dendritic cells; Immunity; cellular