Abstract
This study investigates the influence of allergic inflammation in airway sensory innervation. We conclude that allergic inflammation in the guinea pig leads to both an increase in excitability, as manifested by an increase in the mechanical sensitivity of the airway nerve endings, and an induction of substance P production in airway sensory neurons. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the induction of substance P occurs in fast conducting nodose sensory neurons that were previously devoid of this neuropeptide. Thus, allergen challenge is associated with a phenotypic change in the airway tachykinergic innervation. We also provide evidence that nerve growth factor is a potentially important mediator for these effects, and that it is elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage of asthmatic subjects.
References
1.
Riccio M, Kummer W, Myers AC, Undem BJ: Interganglionic segregation of airway vagal afferent fiber phenotypes. J Physiol 1996;496: 521–530.
2.
Riccio MM, Myers AC, Undem BJ: Immunomodulation of afferent neurons in guinea–pig isolated airway. J Physiol 1996;491:499–509.
3.
Undem BJ, Weinreich D: Electrophysiological properties and chemosensitivity of guinea pig nodose ganglion neurons in vitro. J Auton Nerv Syst 1993;44:17–34.
4.
Undem BJ, Hubbard W, Weinreich D: Immunologically induced neuromodulation of guinea pig nodose ganglion neurons. J Auton Nerv Syst 1993;44:35–44.
5.
Fischer A, McGregor GP, Saria A, Philippin B, Kummer W: Induction of tachykinin gene and peptide expression in guinea pig nodose primary afferent neurons by allergic airway inflammation. J Clin Invest 1996;98:2284–2291.
6.
Kummer W, Fischer A, Kurkowski R, Heym C: The sensory and sympathetic innervation of guinea–pig lung and trachea as studied by retrograde neuronal tracing and double–labeling immunohistochemistry. Neuroscience 1992; 49:715–737.
7.
Leon A, Buriani A, Toso RD, Fabris M, Romanello S, Aloe L, Levi–Montalcini R: Mast cells synthesize, store, and relase nerve growth factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1994;91: 3739–3743.
8.
Levi–Montalcini R, Skaper SD, DalToso R, Petrelli L, Leon A: Nerve growth factor: From neurotrophin to neurokine. Trends Neurosci 1996;19:514–520.
9.
Dmitrieva N, Shelton D, Rice ASC, McMahon SB: The role of nerve growth factor in a model of visceral inflammation. Neuroscience 1997; 78:449–459.
10.
Pedersen KE, Meeker SN, Riccio MM, Undem BJ: Selective stimulation of jugular ganglion afferent neurons in guinea pig airways by hypertonic saline. Am Rev Crit Care Med 1998; 84:499–506.
11.
Galeazza MT, Garry MG, Yost HJ, Strait KA, Hargreves KM, Seybold VS: Plasticity in the synthesis and storage of substance P and calcitonin gene–related peptide in primary afferent neurons during peripheral inflammation. Neuroscience 1995;66:443–458.
12.
Sharkey KA: Substance P and calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) in gastrointestinal inflammation. Ann NY Acad Sci 1992;664:425– 442.
13.
Woolf CJ, Walter ET: Common patterns of plasticity contributing to nociceptive sensitization in mammals and Aplysia. Trends Neurosci 1991;14:74–78.
14.
Keränen U, Kiviluoto T, Järvinen H, Bäck N, Kivilaakso E, Soinila S: Changes in substance P–immunoreactive innervation of human colon associated with ulcerative colitis. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40:2250–2258.
15.
Fujishima H, Takeyama M, Takeuchi T, Saito I, Tsubota K: Elevated levels of substance P in tears of patients with allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27:372–378.
16.
Dmitrieva N, McMahon SB: Sensitisation of visceral afferents by nerve growth factor in the adult rat. Pain 1996;66:87–97.
17.
Lewin GR, Barde Y–A: Physiology of the neurotrophins. Annu Rev Neurosci 1996;19: 289–317.
18.
Bonini S, Lambiase A, Bonini S, Angelucci F, Magrini L, Manni L, Aloe L: Circulating nerve growth factor levels are increased in humans with allergic diseases and asthma. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1996;93:10955–10960.
1999
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.
