title: Neuronal plasticity in persistent perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Medicine Research Unit, Division of Allergy Research, Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité School of Medicine, Free University and Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wussow
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cryer
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmeck
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Noga
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zweng
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peiser
authors.forename: Q Thai
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heppt
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Groneberg
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide