Extra-Adrenal Glucocorticoid Synthesis in the Intestinal Mucosa: Between Immune Homeostasis and Immune Escape

Asma Ahmed; Asma Ahmed; Christian Schmidt; Thomas Brunner

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01438

Frontiers in Immunology (Jun 2019)

Extra-Adrenal Glucocorticoid Synthesis in the Intestinal Mucosa: Between Immune Homeostasis and Immune Escape

Asma Ahmed,
Asma Ahmed,
Christian Schmidt,
Thomas Brunner

Affiliations

Asma Ahmed: Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Asma Ahmed: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Christian Schmidt: Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
Thomas Brunner: Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.01438
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones predominantly produced in the adrenal glands in response to physiological cues and stress. Adrenal GCs mediate potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. Accumulating evidence in the past two decades has demonstrated other extra-adrenal organs and tissues capable of synthesizing GCs. This review discusses the role and regulation of GC synthesis in the intestinal epithelium in the regulation of normal immune homeostasis, inflammatory diseases of the intestinal mucosa, and the development of intestinal tumors.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

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