Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 and 2 activity produces divergent resistance against stress-induced pulmonary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

Utilizing a murine model of S. pneumoniae infection and restraint stress, we determined how corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH-R) receptors impacts disease. CRH-R1 (antalarmin) and CRH-R2 (astressin2B) antagonists were administered intraperitoneally prior to restraint stress followed by pulmonary S. pneumoniae infection. CRH-R1 inhibition is not protective against pneumococcal disease induced by stress. Conversely, CRH-R2 inhibition attenuates stress-induced bacterial growth and significantly prevented severe sepsis. Neutrophillic responses were associated with CRH receptor-specific disease outcome providing a potential cellular target for stress-induced susceptibility to the development of severe pneumococcal disease. CRH receptor-mediated effects on immune responses could prove valuable for novel therapeutics.