[Neuropeptides of the nasal innervation and allergic rhinitis].
In the last decade, several neuropeptides have been localized in sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons of the upper and lower airways in animals and man. Tachykinins are sensory neuropeptides: after nasal allergen challenge in patients with allergic rhinitis, substance P is locally released and induces nasal obstruction. Like neurokinin A, another tachykinin of sensory C fibers, substance P induces an increase in vascular permeability and a recruitment of inflammatory cells. Thus, tachykinins partially mimic nasal response to antigen. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is another sensory neuropeptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide localized to parasympathetic fibers. The distributions of CGRP and VIP fibers and of their binding sites, as well as their physiological effects described in other tissues, are consistent with a vasodilator effect. On the other hand, neuropeptide Y (NPY), a sympathetic neuropeptide, would seem to be a potent vasoconstrictor. Thus, nasal neuropeptides, and above all sensory neuropeptides, could play a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis.
Fajac
I
I
Service de Pneumologie, UFR Cochin-Port-Royal, Paris.
Frossard
N
N
D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000502:physiology; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D008833:Microcirculation; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation*; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000502:physiology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000502:physiology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology
D000485:Allergens; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D015320:Tachykinins; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015288:Neurokinin A; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide