Premium
Substance P and CGRP are involved in the formation and maintenance of microabscesses in chronic infection with Nocardia brasiliensis
Author(s) -
SOTO JUAN MANUEL SOLIS,
Serrano J A,
Ramirez J C Segoviano,
Kouri J B,
Carmona M C Salinas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.858.9
Subject(s) - nocardia brasiliensis , biology , nocardia , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , dermis , pathology , nocardiosis , immunology , bacteria , medicine , anatomy , genetics
Actinomycetoma is caused by several pathogens; the main causal agent in Mexico is Nocardia brasiliensis . It is characterized by an infiltration of several inflammatory cell populations and the formation of microabscesses. To explore pathogenetic aspects of the immune response we injected N. brasiliensis in footpads of BALB/c mice. Seven, fifteen and thirty days postinfection immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed to compare presence and distribution of substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) during the formation of microabscesses. Analysis of serial skin sections showed colocalization of these immunomodulators in some macrophages (CD14 immunoreactive) at the periphery of the microabscesses. Substance P was also present in a few macrophages of the dermis, outside the microabscesses. Ultrastructural studies showed a grain of bacteria in the center of the microabscess. Surrounding the bacteria a layer of polymorphonuclear cells were present. Around the polymorphonuclear cell layer several lymphocytes (CD3) and macrophages were producing the cytokines IFN‐gamma, IL‐1beta, IL‐10 and IL‐4. The distribution of substance P and CGRP suggests that they act as immunomodulators of the formation and maintenance of the microabscesses during chronic infection with N. brasiliensis . This work was supported by grants from PROMEP 103.5/05/2485 and PAICYT SA1420‐06 (UANL).