Neuropeptides, nerve growth factor and the skin

Cutaneous nerve fibers can modulate inflammatory reactions through local release of neuropeptides (NP). In fact, NP are able to regulate both acute and chronic aspects of cutaneous inflammatory processes, such as vascular motility, cellular trafficking, activation and trophism. Several experimental evidences suggest a participation of NP to the pathogenesis of inflammatory dermatoses : in particular, modulation of inflammatory reactions in the skin can be obtained through pharmacologic manipulation of the neuropeptidergic system. Furthermore, evidence of local alterations of NP levels in inflamed skin has been obtained. It has been hypothesized that the inflammatory process induces reactive changes in the neuronal NP content. The primary candidate as mediator of this neuronal recruitment in the course of inflammatory reactions is the neurothrophin nerve growth factor, that is produced in the skin in increased amounts during inflammatory processes and may regulate peptidergic synthesis at a neuronal level.