title: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system localization in human fetal heart.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family consists of the neuropeptides CRF, Ucn I, II and III and the binding sites CRFR1, CRFR2 and CRF-BP. It regulates stress response and the homeostasis of an organism. In this study, we examined the presence of the CRF system in the human hearts of normal and pathological fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Heart tissues from 40 archival human fetuses were divided into Group A (without pathology, 'normal'), Group B (with chromosomal abnormalities) and Group C (with congenital disorders). Immunohistochemistry was used to localize the CRF system. Results correlated to gestational trimester and pathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunoreactivity for all antigens was found in cardiac myocytes of all groups, in almost all samples, except Ucn III which was present in almost half of the fetuses of Groups B and C and was not detected at all in Group A. Ucn III was more often present during the earlier stage of development (<21weeks) and in fetuses with congenital disorders. In a fetus diagnosed with heart pathology, all but Ucn III antigens were also present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We localized a complete CRF system in the human fetal heart and correlated the presence of Ucn III to development and pathology. More studies are needed to verify and clarify the exact role of the CRF system in the human fetal heart.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Efterpi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chouridou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambropoulou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koureta
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zarouchlioti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Balgouranidou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nena
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Ekaterini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chatzaki
mesh_terms: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054832:Urocortins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone