J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2015 Oct;21(4):571-580. 10.5056/jnm15019.

Corticotropin-releasing Factor Changes the Phenotype and Function of Dendritic Cells in Mouse Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

• Meng L
• Lu Z
• Xiaoteng W
• Yue H
• Bin L
• Lina M
• Zhe C

• KMID: 2381306
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm15019

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
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.

Keyword

Corticotropin-releasing hormone; Dendritic cells; Immunity, cellular

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blotting, Western
Cell Proliferation
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone*
Dendritic Cells*
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Immunity, Cellular
Lymph Nodes*
Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
Mice*
Pathology
Phenotype*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
T-Lymphocytes
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone