title: Mechanisms of the airway hyperresponsiveness induced by Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in rats: role of capsaicin-sensitive neurons.
abstract: Strongyloides venezuelensis migrates through the lungs and induces airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The present study evaluated the role of C-fibers in mediating airway inflammation and AHR after infection of rats with S. venezuelensis. Neonatal treatment with capsaicin effectively depleted sensory nerves. This was accompanied by inhibition of the AHR induced by S. venezuelensis infection. In contrast, capsaicin treatment greatly enhanced pulmonary inflammation, eosinophil influx and the local production of TNF-alpha. In conclusion, this is the first demonstration that, akin to viral and allergic AHR, permanent loss of sensory nerve C-fibers also reduces AHR induced by infection with a helminth.
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Ana-Terezinha M
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Flavio A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Rafael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Fernanda Matos
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Danielle G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Negrão-Corrêa
authors.forename: Mauro M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000469:parasitology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000633:toxicity; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin