Corticotropin Releasing Hormone and Immune Function

Abstract

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and Vasopressin (VP) are the hypothalamic immunoregulators. The CRH – adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - glucocorticoid (GC) and catecholamine (CAT) axis, jointly with Vasopressin (VP), stimulate innate immunity (INIM). During acute illness CRH activates the HPA-GC-CAT axis and INIM will be amplified up to 1000 times in 24–48 hours. GC and CAT stimulate directly INIM and also generate suppressor/regulatory T cells (Ts/r) which inhibit adaptive immune (ADIM) function. APR is a complex metabolic, endocrine and immune response which leads to a systemic inflammatory response. This is the last attempt to save the host organism from life threatening disease/injury. In most cases healing and recovery will follow, so APR is a very effective in host defense.