Mast cell corticotropin-releasing factor subtype 2 suppresses mast cell degranulation and limits the severity of anaphylaxis and stress-induced intestinal permeability.

Background: Psychological stress and heightened mast cell (MC) activation are linked with important immunologic disorders, including allergy, anaphylaxis, asthma, and functional bowel diseases, but the mechanisms remain poorly defined. We have previously demonstrated that activation of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system potentiates MC degranulation responses during IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and psychological stress through corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1 (CRF) expressed on MCs.

Objective: In this study we investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 2 (CRF) as a modulator of stress-induced MC degranulation and associated disease pathophysiology.

Frontline Science: Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1 is a critical modulator of mast cell degranulation and stress-induced pathophysiology.

Life stress is a major risk factor in the onset and exacerbation of mast cell-associated diseases, including allergy/anaphylaxis, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome. Although it is known that mast cells are highly activated upon stressful events, the mechanisms by which stress modulates mast cell function and disease pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1 (CRF) in mast cell degranulation and associated disease pathophysiology.

Early weaning stress in pigs impairs innate mucosal immune responses to enterotoxigenic E. coli challenge and exacerbates intestinal injury and clinical disease.

Background And Aims: The clinical onset and severity of intestinal disorders in humans and animals can be profoundly impacted by early life stress. Here we investigated the impact of early weaning stress in pigs on intestinal physiology, clinical disease, and immune response to subsequent challenge with enterotoxigenic F18 E. coli (ETEC).