Premium
Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide promotes eccrine gland sweat secretion
Author(s) -
Sasaki S.,
Watanabe J.,
Ohtaki H.,
Matsumoto M.,
Murai N.,
Nakamachi T.,
Hannibal J.,
Fahrenkrug J.,
Hashimoto H.,
Watanabe H.,
Sueki H.,
Honda K.,
Miyazaki A.,
Shioda S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.14885
Subject(s) - vasoactive intestinal peptide , sweat , endocrinology , sweat gland , medicine , immunostaining , pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide , secretion , eccrine sweat gland , receptor , biology , chemistry , neuropeptide , immunohistochemistry
Summary Background Sweat secretion is the major function of eccrine sweat glands; when this process is disturbed (paridrosis), serious skin problems can arise. To elucidate the causes of paridrosis, an improved understanding of the regulation, mechanisms and factors underlying sweat production is required. Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide ( PACAP ) exhibits pleiotropic functions that are mediated via its receptors [ PACAP ‐specific receptor ( PAC 1R), vasoactive intestinal peptide ( VIP ) receptor type 1 ( VPAC 1R) and VPAC 2R]. Although some studies have suggested a role for PACAP in the skin and several exocrine glands, the effects of PACAP on the process of eccrine sweat secretion have not been examined. Objectives To investigate the effect of PACAP on eccrine sweat secretion. Methods Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining were used to determine the expression and localization of PACAP and its receptors in mouse and human eccrine sweat glands. We injected PACAP subcutaneously into the footpads of mice and used the starch–iodine test to visualize sweat‐secreting glands. Results Immunostaining showed PACAP and PAC 1R expression by secretory cells from mouse and human sweat glands. PACAP immunoreactivity was also localized in nerve fibres around eccrine sweat glands. PACAP significantly promoted sweat secretion at the injection site, and this could be blocked by the PAC 1R‐antagonist PACAP 6‐38. VIP , an agonist of VPAC 1R and VPAC 2R, failed to induce sweat secretion. Conclusions This is the first report demonstrating that PACAP may play a crucial role in sweat secretion via its action on PAC 1R located in eccrine sweat glands. The mechanisms underlying the role of PACAP in sweat secretion may provide new therapeutic options to combat sweating disorders.