The Effect of Stress Hormone Signaling on Epithelial Wound Healing

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although the specific etiology is unknown, previous research shows that maternal environment may be a contributing factor. Gestational stress may lead to the development of NEC by interfering with the barrier function of the intestinal epithelial barrier. The migration of cells from the crypts to the tips of the villi is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Previously, the Martin lab found that pups from psychologically stressed pregnant dams were more susceptible to NEC-like injury. We have also shown that investigated how stress signaling and zinc impact intestinal epithelial wound healing. Through a scratch assay, human Caco-2 cell migration was studied over 24 hours, and the percent wound healing was calculated. We found that only hydrocortisone at the 30 ug/ml concentration led to an inhibition of wound healing, and that zinc was unable to rescue hydrocortisone mediated inhibition.