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Chrousos GP. Crinecerfont in a First Clinical Application of a CRH Antagonist: Further Potential Uses Are Still an Open Chapter! J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1365-e1366. [PMID: 37650613 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
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Bertherat J. CRH-Receptor Molecular Imaging Reveals the Intimacy of Corticotroph Adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e1902-e1904. [PMID: 33382418 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Bertherat
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France
- Department of Endocrinology and National Reference Center for Rare Adrenal Disorders, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
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Bu G, Fan J, Yang M, Lv C, Lin Y, Li J, Meng F, Du X, Zeng X, Zhang J, Li J, Wang Y. Identification of a Novel Functional Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH2) in Chickens and Its Roles in Stimulating Pituitary TSHβ Expression and ACTH Secretion. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:595. [PMID: 31555213 PMCID: PMC6727040 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), together with its structurally and functionally related neuropeptides, constitute the CRH family and play critical roles in multiple physiological processes. Recently, a novel member of this family, namely CRH2, was identified in vertebrates, however, its functionality and physiological roles remain an open question. In this study, using chicken (c-) as the animal model, we characterized the expression and functionality of CRH2 and investigated its roles in anterior pituitary. Our results showed that (1) cCRH2 cDNA is predicted to encode a 40-aa mature peptide, which shares a higher amino acid sequence identity to cCRH (63%) than to other CRH family peptides (23-38%); (2) Using pGL3-CRE-luciferase reporter system, we demonstrated that cCRH2 is ~15 fold more potent in activating cCRH receptor 2 (CRHR2) than cCRHR1 when expressed in CHO cells, indicating that cCRH2 is bioactive and its action is mainly mediated by CRHR2; (3) Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that cCRH2 is widely expressed in chicken tissues including the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, and its transcription is likely controlled by promoters near exon 1, which display strong promoter activity in cultured DF-1 and HEK293 cells; (4) In cultured chick pituitary cells, cCRH2 potently stimulates TSHβ expression and shows a lower potency in inducing ACTH secretion, indicating that pituitary/hypothalamic CRH2 can regulate pituitary functions. Collectively, our data provides the first piece of evidence to suggest that CRH2 play roles similar, but non-identical, to those of CRH, such as its differential actions on pituitary, and this helps to elucidate the roles of CRH2 in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Bu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Fan
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Ming Yang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Can Lv
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Lin
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Jinxuan Li
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Fengyan Meng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaogang Du
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Xianyin Zeng
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
- Xianyin Zeng
| | - Jiannan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yajun Wang
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Engineer N, Darwin L, Nishigandh D, Ngianga-Bakwin K, Smith SC, Grammatopoulos DK. Association of glucocorticoid and type 1 corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors gene variants and risk for depression during pregnancy and post-partum. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:1166-73. [PMID: 23726670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Women with postnatal depression (PND) appear to have abnormal hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis responses to stress, which might involve a genetic variability component. We investigated association of genetic variants in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1) and corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) genes with increased risk for PND. Two hundred pregnant women were recruited prospectively and PND risk was assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during pregnancy and again 2-8 weeks post-natally (CW-GAPND study). The BclI and ER22/23EK single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GR and the haplotype-tagged rs1876828, rs242939 and rs242941 SNPs of the CRHR1 associated with genetic risk to depressive disorders were genotyped. A cut-off score of 10 was used to detect increased risk of PND. Association analysis was carried out in 140 patients that completed the study protocol. The BclI and rs242939 SNPs were over-represented in women with postnatal EPDS score ≥10 with significant allele association (p = 0.011 and <0.001, respectively) and risk ratios of 2.9 (95% CI: 1.2-6.9) for BclI, 4.9 (2-12) for rs242939 and 5.48 (2.13-14.10) for both. The rs242939 SNP was also associated with increased EPDS values during pregnancy. Moreover, the G-G-T haplotype of the CRHR1 was significantly over-represented in patients with high EPDS scores, with risk ratio of 3.22 (95% CI: 1.91-5.42). This is the first evidence that specific SNPs of genes involved in 'stress' responses might contribute in the genetics of high-risk for depression during pregnancy and postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Engineer
- Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
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Kratzer S, Mattusch C, Metzger MW, Dedic N, Noll-Hussong M, Kafitz KW, Eder M, Deussing JM, Holsboer F, Kochs E, Rammes G. Activation of CRH receptor type 1 expressed on glutamatergic neurons increases excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons by the modulation of voltage-gated ion channels. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:91. [PMID: 23882180 PMCID: PMC3715697 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays an important role in a substantial number of patients with stress-related mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression. CRH has been shown to increase neuronal excitability in the hippocampus, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The effects of CRH on neuronal excitability were investigated in acute hippocampal brain slices. Population spikes (PS) and field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) were evoked by stimulating Schaffer-collaterals and recorded simultaneously from the somatic and dendritic region of CA1 pyramidal neurons. CRH was found to increase PS amplitudes (mean ± Standard error of the mean; 231.8 ± 31.2% of control; n = 10) while neither affecting fEPSPs (104.3 ± 4.2%; n = 10) nor long-term potentiation (LTP). However, when Schaffer-collaterals were excited via action potentials (APs) generated by stimulation of CA3 pyramidal neurons, CRH increased fEPSP amplitudes (119.8 ± 3.6%; n = 8) and the magnitude of LTP in the CA1 region. Experiments in slices from transgenic mice revealed that the effect on PS amplitude is mediated exclusively by CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) expressed on glutamatergic neurons. The effects of CRH on PS were dependent on phosphatase-2B, L- and T-type calcium channels and voltage-gated potassium channels but independent on intracellular Ca2+-elevation. In patch-clamp experiments, CRH increased the frequency and decay times of APs and decreased currents through A-type and delayed-rectifier potassium channels. These results suggest that CRH does not affect synaptic transmission per se, but modulates voltage-gated ion currents important for the generation of APs and hence elevates by this route overall neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Kratzer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München Munich, Germany
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Chen Y, Andres AL, Frotscher M, Baram TZ. Tuning synaptic transmission in the hippocampus by stress: the CRH system. Front Cell Neurosci 2012; 6:13. [PMID: 22514519 PMCID: PMC3322336 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2012.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To enhance survival, an organism needs to remember—and learn from—threatening or stressful events. This fact necessitates the presence of mechanisms by which stress can influence synaptic transmission in brain regions, such as hippocampus, that subserve learning and memory. A major focus of this series of monographs is on the role and actions of adrenal-derived hormones, corticosteroids, and of brain-derived neurotransmitters, on synaptic function in the stressed hippocampus. Here we focus on the contribution of hippocampus-intrinsic, stress-activated CRH-CRH receptor signaling to the function and structure of hippocampal synapses. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is expressed in interneurons of adult hippocampus, and is released from axon terminals during stress. The peptide exerts time- and dose-dependent effects on learning and memory via modulation of synaptic function and plasticity. Whereas physiological levels of CRH, acting over seconds to minutes, augment memory processes, exposure to presumed severe-stress levels of the peptide results in spine retraction and loss of synapses over more protracted time-frames. Loss of dendritic spines (and hence of synapses) takes place through actin cytoskeleton collapse downstream of CRHR1 receptors that reside within excitatory synapses on spine heads. Chronic exposure to stress levels of CRH may promote dying-back (atrophy) of spine-carrying dendrites. Thus, the acute effects of CRH may contribute to stress-induced adaptive mechanisms, whereas chronic or excessive exposure to the peptide may promote learning problems and premature cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuncai Chen
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, and Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine CA, USA
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Heim C, Bradley B, Mletzko TC, Deveau TC, Musselman DL, Nemeroff CB, Ressler KJ, Binder EB. Effect of Childhood Trauma on Adult Depression and Neuroendocrine Function: Sex-Specific Moderation by CRH Receptor 1 Gene. Front Behav Neurosci 2009; 3:41. [PMID: 20161813 PMCID: PMC2821197 DOI: 10.3389/neuro.08.041.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Accepted: 10/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene appear to moderate the development of depression after childhood trauma. Depression more frequently affects women than men. We examined sex differences in the effects of the CRHR1 gene on the relationship between childhood trauma and adult depression. We recruited 1,063 subjects from the waiting rooms of a public urban hospital. Childhood trauma exposure and symptoms of depression were assessed using dimensional rating scales. Subjects were genotyped for rs110402 within the CRHR1 gene. An independent sample of 78 subjects underwent clinical assessment, genotyping, and a dexamethasone/CRH test. The age range at recruitment was 18-77 years and 18-45, for the two studies respectively. In the hospital sample, the protective effect of the rs110402 A-allele against developing depression after childhood trauma was observed in men (N = 424), but not in women (N = 635). In the second sample, the rs110402 A-allele was associated with decreased cortisol response in the dexamethasone/CRH test only in men. In A-allele carriers with childhood trauma exposure women exhibited increased cortisol response compared men; there were no sex differences in A-allele carriers without trauma exposure. This effect may, however, not be related to gender differences per se, but to differences in the type of experienced abuse between men and women. CRHR x environment interactions in the hospital sample were observed with exposure to physical, but not sexual or emotional abuse. Physical abuse was the most common type of abuse in men in this cohort, while sexual abuse was most commonly suffered by women. Our results suggest that the CRHR1 gene may only moderate the effects of specific types of childhood trauma on depression. Gender differences in environmental exposures could thus be reflected in sex-specific CRHR1 x child abuse interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Heim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, USA
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