Abstract
Background: There is increasing evidence that neuropeptides, especially substance P (SP), may be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: We performed this study to determine more precisely the role of SP in AD. Methods: We separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AD patients and normal controls, and measured proliferation response and cytokine release after adding SP (10 −11, 10 −10 and 10 −9 M). We also compared substance P receptor expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results: PBMCs from AD patients proliferated at significantly higher rates (ca. by 30%). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the level of expression of SP receptor increased in AD patients versus normal controls. IL-4 release from PBMCs was significantly higher in AD patients, while IFN-γ release from PBMCs was significantly lower in AD patients. Different concentrations of SP did not cause any difference in IL-4 and IFN-γ secretions. However, TNF-α release from PBMCs in AD patients increased significantly at 10 −10 and 10 −9 M of SP compared to SP (−) control. IL-10 release from PBMCs increased significantly in AD patients with 10 −9 M of SP compared to SP (−) control. Conclusion: SP might aggravate AD by increasing the production of TNF-α and IL-10 rather than by affecting IL-4 and IFN-γ. This different immune response is considered to be the result of upregulated SP receptor in AD.
Published Version
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