Neuronal plasticity in persistent perennial allergic rhinitis.
OBJECTIVE
Persistent perennial allergic rhinitis belongs to the most frequent diseases in occupational and environmental medicine. Because the innervation may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the present study analyzed nasal mucosal nerve profiles.


METHODS
Neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers were examined using immunohistochemistry and related to eosinophil and mast cell numbers.


RESULTS
In contrast to constant numbers of mast cells, there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils. Immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) revealed abundant staining of mucosal nerves. Semiquantitative assessment of nerve fiber neuropeptide density demonstrated a significant increase of VIP-positive fibers in rhinitis tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data indicate a differential regulation of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers with increased numbers of VIPergic fibers suggesting a modulatory role of the upper airway innervation in perennial allergic rhinitis.
Fischer
Axel
A
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Research Unit, Division of Allergy Research, Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité School of Medicine, Free University and Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Wussow
Anke
A
Cryer
Annette
A
Schmeck
Bernd
B
Noga
Oliver
O
Zweng
Martina
M
Peiser
Christian
C
Dinh
Q Thai
QT
Heppt
Werner
W
Groneberg
David A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000276:immunology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000276:immunology*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide