title: Galanin expression in a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis.
abstract: Galanin is a neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system. The expression of galanin was investigated in murine contact allergy using immunohistochemistry, radioimmunoassay and in situ hybridization. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized with oxazolone and 6 days later challenged on the dorsal surface of ears, while control mice received vehicle. After 24 h, one ear was processed for immunostaining using a biotinylated fluorescence technique, while the other ear was frozen and processed for radioimmunoassay or in situ hybridization. Galanin immunoreactive nerve fibres were more numerous (p < 0.01) in the eczematous compared with control ears. Double-staining with antibody to the nerve fibre marker PGP (protein gene product) 9.5 revealed colocalization of PGP 9.5 and galanin in nerve fibres. Radioimmunoassay demonstrated a decrease (p < 0.04) in galanin concentration in eczematous compared with control ears. Our results suggest a role for galanin in murine contact allergy.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. hussam.elnour@ks.se
authors.forename: Husameldin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Nour
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boman
authors.forename: Elvar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Theodorsson
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hökfelt
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nordlind
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019004:Galanin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010081:Oxazolone; D019004:Galanin