Regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA in neuroendocrine and autonomic neurons by osmotic stimulation and volume loading.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been reported to be expressed in oxytocin-containing magnocellular neurosecretory neurons of the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, and in Barrington's nucleus, a pontine micturition center. Each of these cell groups is known to play a role in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. To gain a better understanding of the role of CRF in this context, the effects of osmotic stimulation and volume loading on CRF mRNA levels in the PVN, SON and Barrington's nucleus were examined using in situ hybridization histochemistry with an 35S-labeled cRNA probe. Adult male rats received either normal tap water (control), or hypertonic (2%) saline (HS) for up to 3 days. In a second experiment, normal saline was infused through a jugular vein cannula at 6 ml/h for 3 days; control rats were cannulated but received no infusion. Relative levels of CRF mRNA were compared by estimating both the number of positively hybridized cells and the density of silver grains in emulsion-dipped autoradiograms. HS treatment resulted in marked increases in CRF mRNA in the magnocellular neurosecretory system. All recognized oxytocinergic cell clusters, i.e., the anterior, medial and posterior magnocellural subdivisions of the PVN, the dorsal aspect of the SON, and components of the accessory magnocellular system, displayed this effect. By contrast, HS treatment resulted in significant decreases in CRF mRNA levels in the parvocellular (hypophysiotropic) division of the PVN and in Barrington's nucleus. By contrast, volume loading, which failed to affect plasma osmolality, significantly increased CRF mRNA levels in Barrington's nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)