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Immunohistochemical visualization of corticotropin‐releasing factor type 1 (CRF 1 ) receptors in monkey brain
Author(s) -
Kostich Walter A.,
Grzanna Reinhard,
Lu Nick Z.,
Largent Brian L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.20271
Subject(s) - biology , medicine , endocrinology , forebrain , basal forebrain , urocortin , in situ hybridization , corticotropin releasing hormone , hippocampus , neuroscience , cerebellum , receptor , hypothalamus , central nervous system , messenger rna , biochemistry , gene
Abstract Corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor type 1, CRF 1 , plays a prominent role in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and is implicated in the autonomic and behavioral responses to stress. Dysregulation of the CRF system may underlie the pathophysiology of several disorders, including depression and anxiety. The distribution of CRF 1 mRNA and CRF 1 specific ligand binding has been reported by multiple groups in rodents using in situ hybridization and receptor autoradiography, respectively. More recently, somewhat conflicting rodent anti‐CRF 1 immunohistochemical studies were reported. In this study we report the generation of an antihuman CRF 1 antiserum and provide the first immunohistochemical description of CRF 1 distribution in a primate brain, that of the rhesus monkey. The specificity of anti‐CRF‐R1 antiserum R221 was demonstrated using transfected hCRF 1 ‐expressing HEK 293 cells and rhesus monkey pituitary. CRF 1 ‐immunoreactive neurons were widespread in the rhesus brain. CRF 1 staining was associated with neuronal cell bodies and dendrites and was primarily intracellular, suggesting a high rate of receptor turnover or receptor sequestration. Anti‐CRF 1 immunoreactivity was most abundant in pituitary, cerebellum, and in portions of brain stem associated with sensorimotor function. CRF 1 staining was also observed in cerebral cortex, basal forebrain, portions of the basal ganglia, and thalamus. Staining was relatively low in prefrontal cortex and in limbic areas, which may reflect masking of the N‐terminal epitope. The distribution of CRF 1 immunoreactivity is suggestive of roles in attentional processing as well as the processing of motor and sensory information. J. Comp. Neurol. 478:111–125, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.