Histaminergic nerves demonstrated in the skin. A new direct mode of neurogenic inflammation?
An intradermal administration of histamine into human skin results in a local erythema, edema and often also the sensations of itch and/or pain. These effects have classically been attributed to the presence of histamine-containing mast cells. However, in the present investigation, we report the observation of histamine-immunoreactive nerves in the skin of Sprague-Dawley rats using a new and highly sensitive immunohistochemical approach. These data suggest a more direct route of cutaneous histamine effects, mediated exclusively by the peripheral nervous system. The findings could also give a new basis for explaining histamine-related issues, such as itch.
Johansson
O
O
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Virtanen
M
M
Hilliges
M
M
D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005246:Feedback; D006632:Histamine / Q000502:physiology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006636:Histamine Release; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018448:Models, Immunological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000378:metabolism; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*
D006632:Histamine