BACKGROUND: The expression of receptors for neuropeptides in the skin is modified in skin diseases. OBJECTIVE: We studied the cutaneous expression of substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM) receptors (SPR and SSTR, respectively) in skin affected by cutaneous inflammatory or tumoral T-cell infiltrates because these two neuropeptides are the ones most involved in inflammation. METHODS: We revealed expression of these receptors using a binding in situ technique that gave highly specific results. Skin biopsies were incubated with biotinylated neuropeptides (SP or SOM). RESULTS: In normal skin, SSTR were observed on blood vessels, smooth muscle fibres and sweat glands. SSTR expression was modified only when expressed by keratinocytes in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and by plasmocytes in plasmocytoma. SPR distribution was not modified in subjects with atopic dermatitis or lupus. The expression of SPR in the epidermis was diminished in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and parapsoriasis and absent in mycosis fungoides. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that malignant lymphocytic infiltrates can inhibit SPR expression on keratinocytes.
BACKGROUND: The expression of receptors for neuropeptides in the skin is modified in skin diseases. OBJECTIVE: We studied the cutaneous expression of substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM) receptors (SPR and SSTR, respectively) in skin affected by cutaneous inflammatory or tumoral T-cell infiltrates because these two neuropeptides are the ones most involved in inflammation. METHODS: We revealed expression of these receptors using a binding in situ technique that gave highly specific results. Skin biopsies were incubated with biotinylated neuropeptides (SP or SOM). RESULTS: In normal skin, SSTR were observed on blood vessels, smooth muscle fibres and sweat glands. SSTR expression was modified only when expressed by keratinocytes in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and by plasmocytes in plasmocytoma. SPR distribution was not modified in subjects with atopic dermatitis or lupus. The expression of SPR in the epidermis was diminished in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and parapsoriasis and absent in mycosis fungoides. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that malignant lymphocytic infiltrates can inhibit SPR expression on keratinocytes.