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Calcitonin gene‐related peptide modulates interleukin‐13 in circulating cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐positive T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis
Author(s) -
Antúnez C.,
Torres M.J.,
López S.,
RodriguezPena R.,
Blanca M.,
Mayorga C.,
SantamaríaBabi L.F.
Publication year - 2009
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/j.1365-2133.2009.09318.x
Subject(s) - calcitonin gene related peptide , immunology , immune system , calcitonin , medicine , immunoglobulin e , antigen , atopic dermatitis , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , endocrinology , interleukin , flow cytometry , t cell , cytokine , receptor , biology , antibody , neuropeptide , in vitro , biochemistry
Summary Background Neuropeptides (NPs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) by regulating immune responses and contributing to the cross‐talk between the immune and nervous systems. Objectives To assess the ability of NPs to influence interleukin (IL)‐13 and interferon (IFN)‐γ production and the expression of the activation marker HLA‐DR in skin memory T cells [cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA)+ T cells] from patients with AD with severe, chronic lesions and intense pruritus, and from nonatopic controls. Methods Cells were cultured in the presence and absence of different NPs, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), somatostatin (SOM) and substance P (SP). IL‐13 and IFN‐γ production and HLA‐DR expression were measured in both CLA+ and CLA− T‐cell subsets by flow cytometry. Results CGRP increased IL‐13 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AD ( P < 0·05), with no changes detected in the presence of SOM or SP. These patients with AD had a lower expression of CGRP receptor compared with controls ( P < 0·05). Memory T cells incubated with CGRP also showed an increase in IL‐13 ( P < 0·05) and HLA‐DR ( P < 0·05) in CLA+ T cells from patients with AD compared with controls, but not in CLA− T cells. Patients with a higher production of IL‐13 were those with higher total IgE and percentage of skin area involved. Furthermore, the IL‐13/IFN‐γ ratio was increased in patients with AD after cells were cultured with CGRP ( P < 0·05). Conclusions Our results suggest an immunomodulatory role of CGRP towards a Th2 pattern in CLA+ T cells, which may contribute to exacerbating clinical symptoms in patients with AD.