Stress and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) promote necrotizing enterocolitis in a formula-fed neonatal rat model
Fig 5
CRF and CRF receptor immunoreactivity (IR) is increased in the terminal ileum of neonates with NEC.
(a-e) Representative immunostained section from DF, DFS, FF and NEC ileum. CRF-IR (red) and CRFR (CRF1/2-IR, green) was evident in the villi, blood vessels, and neurons within the myenteric plexuses of FF and NEC groups, but only low, diffuse staining was seen in DF and DFS control groups. (f) Higher magnification (63x) confocal images revealed differences in staining pattern in CRF-IR and CRF1/2-IR in DF controls versus NEC groups.