title: Substance P receptor expression in human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing evidence that neuropeptides, especially substance P (SP), may be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous allergic inflammation (CAI).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate expression of the SP receptor (neurokinin-1 receptor, NK-1R) in human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts and its potential influence in CAI.
  
  
  METHODS
  HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line) and dermal fibroblasts were cultured. The expression of NK-1R protein was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA level was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The modulation of NK-1R expression in HaCaT cells and fibroblasts was detected by flow cytometry and Western blotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NK-1R expression was found in HaCaT cells and fibroblasts. The expression of NK-1R mRNA in fibroblasts was weaker than in HaCaT cells. SP and interferon (IFN)-gamma significantly upregulated the expression of NK-1R. [d-Arg(1), d-Trp(7,9) Leu(11)]-SP (Spantide I), a panspecific NK-1R antagonist, reduced the expression of NK-1R stimulated by SP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HaCaT cells and fibroblasts can express NK-1R at protein and transcription levels, and the expression was modulated by SP, IFN-gamma and Spantide I. This indicates that keratinocytes and fibroblasts are involved in the regulation of skin immunity and that NK-1R may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CAI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Q-G
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: F-Q
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P; D007371:Interferon-gamma