Secretoneurin and neurogenic inflammation

AIM: Review of evidence that the 33-amino-acid polypeptide secretoneurin, w hich is generated by proteolytic cleavage of secretogranin II, plays a role in neurogenic inflammation. METHODS: Survey of the literature using a MEDL INE search database. RESULTS: Secretoneurin is synthesized in spinal gangli a, transported through the dorsal roots and stored in the axon terminals of primary afferent neurons. Investigations using capsaicin suggest that secr etoneurin functions as an excitatory transmitter. Secretoneurin specificall y activates various cell functions including the chemotactic migration of m onocytes, eosinophils, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial ce lls, which suggests that the peptide may modulate inflammatory reactions. S ecretoneurin receptors have been functionally characterized. They are G-pro teins linked and effects are abrogated by inhibition of protein kinase C. C ONCLUSION: With actions as diverse as those seen with other mediators such as tachykinins, secretoneurin may be considered another sensory neuropeptid e with modulatory potential in neurogenic inflammation.