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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and Oncosuisse. D.S. is recipient of a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation

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  1. Division of Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, P.O. Box 62, 3010, Bern, Switzerland

    Mario Noti, Daniel Sidler & Thomas Brunner

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Noti, M., Sidler, D. & Brunner, T. Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in the intestinal epithelium: more than a drop in the ocean?. Semin Immunopathol 31, 237–248 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-009-0159-2

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