Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) regulates macromolecular permeability via mast cells in normal human colonic biopsies in vitro

• Objective: Persistent stress and life events affect the course of ulcerativecolitis and irritable bowel syndrome by largely unknown mechanisms.Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) has been implicated asan important mediator of stress-induced abnormalities in intestinalmucosal function in animal models, but to date no studies inhuman colon have been reported. The aim was to examine the effectsof CRH on mucosal barrier function in the human colon and toelucidate the mechanisms involved in CRH-induced hyper-permeability.Design: Biopsies from 39 volunteers were assessed for macromolecularpermeability (horseradish peroxidise (HRP), 51Cr-EDTA), andelectrophysiology after CRH challenge in Ussing chambers. Thebiopsies were examined by electron and confocal microscopy forHRP and CRH receptor localisation, respectively. Moreover, CRHreceptor mRNA and protein expression were examined in the humanmast cell line, HMC-1.Results: Mucosal permeability to HRP was increased by CRH (2.8±0.5pmol/cm2/h) compared to vehicle exposure (1.5±0.4 pmol/cm2/h),p = 0.032, whereas permeability to 51Cr-EDTA and transmucosalelectrical resistance were unchanged. The increased permeabilityto HRP was abolished by -helical CRH (9-41) (1.3±0.6pmol/cm2/h) and the mast cell stabiliser, lodoxamide (1.6±0.6pmol/cm2/h). Electron microscopy showed transcellular passageof HRP through colonocytes. CRH receptor subtypes R1 and R2were detected in the HMC-1 cell line and in lamina propria mastcells in human colon.Conclusions: Our results suggest that CRH mediates transcellular uptake ofHRP in human colonic mucosa via CRH receptor subtypes R1 andR2 on subepithelial mast cells. CRH-induced macromolecular uptakein human colon mucosa may have implications for stress-relatedintestinal disorders.

Keyword

CRH receptor subtypes

barrier function

electron microscopy

human mast cell line

intestinal mucosa

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