Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) facilitates axon outgrowth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in facilitating axon outgrowth.

BACKGROUND: Injured neural tissue is difficult to regenerate; the mechanism has not been fully understood.

METHODS: A rat model of spinal cord transection injury was developed. Levels of BDNF, CRH and oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (OMgp) in injured spinal cord were monitored dynamically after surgery. Cellular interaction among rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells, oligocondrocytes and microglial cells was observed with a coculture model. The axon outgrowth from DRG cells was examined by confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: After spinal cord transection, levels of BDNF and CRH increased the next day and decreased afterward, whereas OMgp levels increased from day 3. Administration with BDNF suppressed the levels of OMgp in vitro. The results from a coculture model showed that CRH increased microglial cells to release BDNF; BDNF inhibited OMgp levels in oligodendrocytes and enhanced the axon outgrowth from DRG cells.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that CRH has the ability to facilitate the outgrowth of axon in spinal neurons, which has therapeutic potential in the treatment of spinal cord injury.