H Kang1, D G Byun, J W Kim. 1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul. mrhoo@hananet.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that two T cell-derived lymphokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is known that neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), have various immunomodulatory effects. Elevated levels of these neuropeptides and increased staining of SP positive nerve fibers have been reported in AD patients. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the effects of SP and VIP on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4. The aim of the study was to establish whether these neuropeptides acted to affect cytokine release in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AD patients. METHODS: The effects of SP and VIP on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in phytohemagglutinin stimulated PBMC cultures over a 48-hour period were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 15 AD patients. Non-atopic individuals were used as a control group. RESULTS: Base cytokine profiles of AD patients showed significantly decreased IFN-gamma and increased IL-4 when weighed against non-atopic controls. Compared with controls, SP had a significant percentage enhancing effect on both IFN-gamma and IL-4 production at concentrations of 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M, however, this IFN-gamma up-regulatory effect of SP was reversed by spantide, a SP antagonist. The ratios of IFN-gamma: IL-4 production were significantly elevated in the SP treated AD group. Although VIP had no specific noticeable effects on the IFN-gamma and IL-4 production. CONCLUSIONS: Our data may suggest that SP has an influence on the immunomodulation of AD patient by regulating IFN-gamma production, either directly or indirectly. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, on the other hand, has no modulatory effects on the cytokine production of AD patients.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that two T cell-derived lymphokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is known that neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), have various immunomodulatory effects. Elevated levels of these neuropeptides and increased staining of SP positive nerve fibers have been reported in ADpatients. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the effects of SP and VIP on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4. The aim of the study was to establish whether these neuropeptides acted to affect cytokine release in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ADpatients. METHODS: The effects of SP and VIP on the production of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in phytohemagglutinin stimulated PBMC cultures over a 48-hour period were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 15 ADpatients. Non-atopic individuals were used as a control group. RESULTS: Base cytokine profiles of ADpatients showed significantly decreased IFN-gamma and increased IL-4 when weighed against non-atopic controls. Compared with controls, SP had a significant percentage enhancing effect on both IFN-gamma and IL-4 production at concentrations of 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M, however, this IFN-gamma up-regulatory effect of SP was reversed by spantide, a SP antagonist. The ratios of IFN-gamma: IL-4 production were significantly elevated in the SP treated AD group. Although VIP had no specific noticeable effects on the IFN-gamma and IL-4 production. CONCLUSIONS: Our data may suggest that SP has an influence on the immunomodulation of ADpatient by regulating IFN-gamma production, either directly or indirectly. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, on the other hand, has no modulatory effects on the cytokine production of ADpatients.
Authors: Eva M J Peters; Sofia Liotiri; Eniko Bodó; Evelin Hagen; Tamás Bíró; Petra C Arck; Ralf Paus Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2007-11-30 Impact factor: 4.307