CRF Induces Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Injury via the Release of Mast Cell Proteases and TNF-α

intestinal model, the aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which CRF mediates intestinal epithelial barrier disturbances.Ileum was harvested from 6–8 week-old pigs, mounted on Ussing Chambers, and exposed to CRF in the presence or absence of various pharmacologic inhibitors of CRF-mediated signaling pathways. Mucosal-to-serosal flux of 4 kDa-FITC dextran (FD4) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were recorded as indices of intestinal epithelial barrier function.M). Furthermore, anti-TNF-α neutralizing antibody (p<0.01), protease inhibitors (p