Neuropeptides concentrations in the skin of a murine (NC/Nga mice) model of atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that the expression of neuropeptides (NPs), and the density and structure of peripheral nerves in atopic dermatitis (AD) are different from those in normal skin.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the role of NPs, in the development of AD with quantitative study of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the skin of AD-model mice.


METHODS
We measured the NPs in the skin of mice (NC/Nga as AD-model mice, BALB/c and C57BL/6 as control) by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA). Peripheral nerve fibers and SP in the skin were stained by immunohistochemical staining, using anti-PGP9.5 antibody and anti-SP antibody.


RESULTS
Under conventional condition, SP concentration in AD-like skin lesions of NC/Nga mice was higher than that in non-affected skin of the same mice. Under specific pathogen-free condition, SP concentration in the skin of NC/Nga mice was higher than that in the skin of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, CGRP concentration in the skin lesions was lower than that in non-affected skin of NC/Nga mice. SP was detected not only in the nerve fibers in the dermis but also in mast cells in the inflammatory areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The skin of NC/Nga mice contains more SP congenitally, and environmental factors may aggravate this abnormal condition. We hypothesize that increase of SP accompanied with a decrease of CGRP in the skin may play important roles in the pathogenesis and development of AD.
Katsuno
Masako
M
Department of Environmental Immuno-Dermatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Japan. yamadama@urahp.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Aihara
Michiko
M
Kojima
Masako
M
Osuna
Hiroyuki
H
Hosoi
Junichi
J
Nakamura
Motokazu
M
Toyoda
Masahiko
M
Matsuda
Hiroshi
H
Ikezawa
Zenro
Z
D000818:Animals; D001415:Back; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*
D013373:Substance P; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide