Substance P selectively activates TNF-alpha mRNA in rat uterine immune cells: a neuroimmune link.
Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide which influences the interaction between the nervous and immune systems. It is an important modulator of cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) whose role during the reproductive processes has been established. We have investigated the effects of SP on TNF-alpha mRNA expression in macrophages and mast cells (MC) isolated from rat peritoneum and uterus. Cell supernatants were analysed for their histamine content as a measure of stimulation. SP alone increased TNF-alpha expression in peritoneal MC but not in peritoneal macrophages. The addition of SP resulted in a six-fold enhancement of TNF-alpha expression in uterine MC whereas no stimulation was observed in macrophages as determined by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Cocchiara
R
R
Istituto di Biologia dello Sviluppo, CNR, Palermo, Italy.
Bongiovanni
A
A
Albeggiani
G
G
Azzolina
A
A
Geraci
D
D
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013373:Substance P