Fulltext

Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in the intestinal epithelium: more than a drop in the ocean?

Noti, Mario ; Sidler, Daniel ; Brunner, Thomas

In: Seminars in Immunopathology, 2009, vol. 31, no. 2, p. 237-248

Add to personal list
    Title
    • Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in the intestinal epithelium: more than a drop in the ocean?
    Author
    • Noti, Mario. Division of Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, P.O. Box 62, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
    • Sidler, Daniel. Division of Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, P.O. Box 62, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
    • Brunner, Thomas. Division of Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, P.O. Box 62, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:317233
    Summary
    Glucocorticoids (GC) are lipophilic hormones commonly used as therapeutics in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease due to their attributed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions. Although the adrenal glands are the major source of endogenous GC, there is increasing evidence for the production of extra-adrenal GC in the brain, thymus, skin, vasculature, and the intestine. However, the physiological relevance of extra-adrenal-produced GC remains still ambiguous. Therefore, this review attracts attention to discuss possible biological benefits of extra-adrenal-synthesized GC, especially focusing on the impact of locally synthesized GC in the regulation of intestinal immune responses