Corticotropin-releasing hormone modulates cytokines release in cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Amniotic Fluid and Umbilical Cord Plasma Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF), CRF-Binding Protein, Adrenocorticotropin, and Cortisol Concentrations in Intraamniotic Infection and Inflammation at Term

“…This hypothesis is supported by the evidence that CRF-BP (and CRF) concentrations are increased in synovial fluid of patients affected by arthritis and septicemia (24) and that IAI is associated with a significant increase of cytokine concentrations in amniotic fluid (25). On the other hand, cytokines stimulate CRF expression and secretion (26,27); thus, the increased concentrations of CRF-BP in the presence of IAI may play a role in regulating inflammatory responses evoked by CRF. Indeed, CRF production is an early event in the cellular inflammatory response and plays a role in the initiation and propagation of the inflammatory reaction in concert with other local factors (28).…”

FIFTEENTH GADDUM MEMORIAL LECTURE DECEMBER 1994 Stress and the neuroendocrine‐immune axis: the pivotal role of glucocorticoids and lipocortin 1

“…For example, in rodents a peripheral endotoxin challenge stimulates the synthesis of cytokines such as in the hypothalamus ahd other areas of the CNS (Hagan et al, 1993;Muramani et al, 1993;De Simoni et al, 1995), possibly via mechanisms dependent on the generation of prostanoids at the level of the blood brain barrier (Cunningham & de Souza, 1992) and/or on the integrity of vagal afferents (Lale et al, 1995). 2 activated immune/inflammatory cells produce ACTH, fl-endorphin and other products of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) together with CRH-and AVP-like peptides (Blalock, 1989;Angioni et al, 1993). Teleological arguments favour a local regulatory role (autocrine, paracrine or intracrine) for these agents, a view supported by the wealth of evidence that IL-6 is a potent activator of the HPA axis at the level of the hypothalamus and that ACTH, fi-endorphin, CRH and AVP each exhibit significant immunoregulatory properties.…”

Perinatal Immune Activation and Risk of Autism

“…A number of cytokines are known to cause in vitro secretion of CRH from cultured placental trophoblasts, including IL-1 and IL-6 (Petraglia et al, 1990). In turn, CRH stimulates release of IL-6 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which infiltrate the fetal membranes and the placenta in increasing numbers during intrauterine infection (Angioni et al, 1993). Recent reports suggest a potential association between preterm birth and autism.…”