Adrenal-Derived Hormones Differentially Modulate Intestinal Immunity in Experimental Colitis

Author(s)

de Souza, Patricia Reis ; Sales-Campos, Helioswilton ; Basso, Paulo Jose ; Nardini, Viviani ; Silva, Angelica ; Banquieri, Fernanda ; Freitas Alves, Vanessa Beatriz ; Lazo Chica, Javier Emilio ; Nomizo, Auro ; de Barros Cardoso, Cristina Ribeiro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Mediators of Inflammation; v. 2016, p. 13-pg., 2016-01-01.

Abstract

The adrenal glands are able to modulate immune responses through neuroimmunoendocrine interactions and cortisol secretion that could suppress exacerbated inflammation such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, here we evaluated the role of these glands in experimental colitis induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice subjected to adrenalectomy, with or without glucocorticoid (GC) replacement. Mice succumbed to colitis without adrenals with a higher clinical score and augmented systemic levels of IL-6 and lower LPS. Furthermore, adrenalectomy negatively modulated systemic regulatory markers. The absence of adrenals resulted in augmented tolerogenic lamina propria dendritic cells but no compensatory local production of corticosterone and decreased mucosal inflammation associated with increased IFN-gamma. and FasL in the intestine. To clarify the importance of GC in this scenario, GC replacement in adrenalectomized mice restored different markers to the same degree of that observed in DSS group. Finally, this is the first time that adrenal-derived hormones, especially GC, were associated with the differential local modulation of the gut infiltrate, also pointing to a relationship between adrenalectomy and the modulation of systemic regulatory markers. These findings may elucidate some neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms that dictate colitis outcome. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/00984-8 - Participation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in experimental induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Grantee: Patrícia Reis de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/20162-7 - The role of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and exogenous glucocorticoids in the modulation of immune response in inflammatory bowel disease
• Grantee: Cristina Ribeiro de Barros Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants