Corticosteroid receptors and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms in rat intestinal epithelia

To evaluate the potential roles that both receptors and enzymes play in corticosteroid regulation of intestinal function, we have determined glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) expression in intestinal epithelial cells. GR and MR mRNA and receptor binding were ubiquitously expressed in epithelial cells, with receptor levels higher in ileum and colon than jejunum and duodenum. RNase protection analysis showed that 11beta-HSD1 was not expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, and enzyme activity studies detected no 11-reductase activity. 11beta-HSD2 mRNA and protein were demonstrated in ileal and colonic epithelia; both MR and GR binding increased when enzyme activity was inhibited with carbenoxolone. Duodenal and jejunal epithelial cells showed very little 11beta-HSD2 mRNA and undetectable 11beta-HSD2 protein; despite minor (<7%) dehydrogenase activity in these cells, enzyme activity did not alter binding of corticosterone to either MR or GR. These findings demonstrate the ubiquitous but differential expression of MR and GR in intestinal epithelia and that 11beta-HSD2 modulates corticosteroid binding to both MR and GR in ileum and proximal and distal colon but not in duodenum or jejunum.