Substance P receptor expression in human skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
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.
Liu
J-Y
JY
Department of Pharmacy, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Hu
J-H
JH
Zhu
Q-G
QG
Li
F-Q
FQ
Sun
H-J
HJ
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
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P; D007371:Interferon-gamma