Work

Quantification of Cutaneous Sensory Nerves and Their Substance P Content in Psoriasis

Year: 1989

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to extend our previous hypothesis that the inflammatory reaction in psoriasis is neurogenic, and that substance P mediates the inflammation. For this purpose, the pattern of neurofilament-positive sensory nerve fibers was studied and the lengths and substance P content of these fibers measured morphometrically in dermal and epidermal compartments of the psoriatic lesion, psoriatic but lesion-free skin, and control skin. The epidermis and dermis of the psoriatic lesions were significantly more densely innervated with neurofilament-positive fibers than either lesion-free psoriatic or control skin. Although substance P is known to be rapidly degraded in tissues, and its actual concentrations in the sections were unknown, there was an increase in substance P containing nerves in the psoriatic lesion, the increase being significant in the epidermal nerve fibers. No significant differences in the measured parameters were obtained between lesion-free psoriatic and control skin. These results indicate that there is an altered pattern of sensory nerves in a psoriatic plaque and that substance P may be an important mediator in the inflammatory processes that contribute either to the initiation or maintenance of a psoriatic lesion.

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology

DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep13071340

Authors: Anita Naukkarinen, Brian J. Nickoloff, Eugene M. Farber

Institutions: University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,800