Immunocytochemical localization of corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) in the rat brain

Abstract

The immunocytochemical localization of neurons containing the 41 amino acid peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the rat brain is described. The detection of CRF-like immunoreactivity in neurons was facilitated by colchicine pretreatment of the rats and by silver intensification of the diaminobenzidine end-product. The presence of immunoreactive CRF in perikarya, neuronal processes, and terminals in all major subdivisions of the rat brain is demonstrated. Aggregates of CRF-immunoreactive perikarya are found in the paraventricular, supraoptic, medial and periventricular preoptic, and premammillary nuclei of the hypothalamus, the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and of the anterior commissure, the medial septal nucleus, the nucleus accumbens, the central amygdaloid nucleus, the olfactory bulb, the locus ceruleus, the parabrachial nucleus, the superior and inferior colliculus, and the medial vestibular nucleus. A few scattered perikarya with CRF-like immunoreactivity are present along the paraventriculo-infundibular pathway, in the anterior hypothalamus, the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the periaqueductal gray of the mesencephalon and pons. Processes with CRF-like immunoreactivity are present in all of the above areas as well as in the cerebellum. The densest accumulation of CRF-immunoreactive terminals is seen in the external zone of the median eminence, with some immunoreactive CRF also present in the internal zone. The widespread but selective distribution of neurons containing CRF-like immunoreactivity supports the neuroendocrine role of this peptide and suggests that CRF, similarly to other neuropeptides, may also function as a neuromodulator throughout the brain.

Interaction between the Corticotropin-Releasing Factor System and Hypocretins (Orexins): A Novel Circuit Mediating Stress Response

“…The overall patterns of hypocretin and CRF immunolabelings in the mouse CNS are consistent with those described previously (Merchenthaler et al, 1982;de Lecea et al, 1998;Sakurai et al, 1998). Few CRFimmunoreactive neurons were detected in the parvocellular part of the PVN, as well as in the central nucleus of the amygdala and cortex.…”

From Galactorrhea to Osteopenia: Rethinking Serotonin–Prolactin Interactions

“…The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) are associated with a variety of functions, which include regulation of metabolism and body temperature, control of water and food intake, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functioning (Lechan and Jackson, 1982;Crawley and Kiss, 1985;Leibowitz, 1978;Sawchenko et al, 1981;Porter and Brody, 1985). The PVN contains neurosecretory magnocellular cells, which produce oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP), and parvocellular cells, which synthesize corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), and other neuropeptides (Bloom et al, 1982;Kiss, 1988;Lechan and Jackson, 1982;Merchenthaler et al, 1982;Mezey and Kiss, 1985). The magnocellular OT and AVP cells project to the posterior lobe of the pituitary, while the parvocellular division projects to the AP via the median eminence.…”

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity in the vertebrate endocrine pancreas.

“…The neural pathways through which CRF reaches the median eminence also have been described (9). Like other neuropeptides, CRF is widely distributed in extrahypothalamic areas of the brain, determined by both radioimmunoassay (10) and immunocytochemistry (11)(12)(13). In addition to stimulating the release of ACTH and /8-endorphin, CRF has a broad range of pharmacological effects, which include changes in behavior, heart rate, blood pressure, and in blood concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, and glucose (14-18).…”

“…USA 80 (1983) Del Rey, CA), 'y-endorphin (Peninsula Laboratories, San Carlos, CA), bovine PP (gift from R. E. Chance, Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN), and synthetic human gastrin I, motilin, secretin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (gifts from D. H. Coy, Tulane University). The anti-CRF serum also has been characterized by immunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay (7) and by immunocytochemistry on brain tissue (9,11).…”