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Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis at epithelial barriers

Genes & Immunity volume 20, pages 627–640 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Epithelial barriers play an important role in the exchange of nutrients, gases, and other signals between our body and the outside world. However, they protect it also from invasion by potential pathogens. Defective epithelial barriers and associated overshooting immune responses are the basis of many different inflammatory disorders of the skin, the lung, and the intestinal mucosa. The anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids has been efficiently used for the treatment of these diseases. Interestingly, epithelia in these tissues are also a rich source of endogenous glucocorticoids, suggesting that local glucocorticoid synthesis is part of a tissue-specific regulatory circuit. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis at the epithelial barriers of the intestine, lung and the skin, and discuss their relevance in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and as therapeutic targets.

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Fig. 1: The glucocorticoid synthesis pathway.
Fig. 2: Stimulation and regulation of extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate all scientific discussions with colleagues in the field of extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis and nuclear receptors over the past 20 years, which contributed to this review. This work was supported by a research grant from the German Science Foundation (DFG, BR3369/9-1) to TB.

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  1. Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    Truong San Phan, Verena M. Merk & Thomas Brunner

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Phan, T.S., Merk, V.M. & Brunner, T. Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis at epithelial barriers. Genes Immun 20, 627–640 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41435-019-0058-z

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