Hair-cycle-associated remodeling of the peptidergic innervation of murine skin, and hair growth modulation by neuropeptides

Citation
Emj. Peters et al., Hair-cycle-associated remodeling of the peptidergic innervation of murine skin, and hair growth modulation by neuropeptides, J INVES DER, 116(2), 2001, pp. 236-245
Citations number
52
Categorie Soggetti
Dermatology,"da verificare
Journal title
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
ISSN journal
0022202X → ACNP
Volume
116
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
236 - 245
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-202X(200102)116:2<236:HROTPI>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
As the neuropeptide substance P can manipulate murine hair growth in vivo, we here further studied the role of sensory neuropeptides in hair follicle biology by determining the distribution and hair-cycle-dependent remodeling of the sensory innervation in C57BL/6 mouse back skin. Calcitonin-gene-rel ated peptide, substance P, and peptide histidine methionine (employed as va soactive intestinal peptide marker) were identified by immunohistochemistry , All of these markers immunolocalized to bundles of nerve fibers and to si ngle nerve fibers, with distinct distribution patterns and major hair-cycle -associated changes. In the epidermis and around the distal hair follicle a nd the arrector pill muscle, only calcitonin-gene-related peptide immunorea ctive nerve fibers were visualized, whereas substance P and peptide histidi ne methionine immunoreactive nerve fibers were largely restricted to the de rmis and subcutis. Compared to telogen skin, the number of calcitonin-gene- related peptide, substance P, and peptide histidine methionine immunoreacti ve single nerve fibers increased significantly (p<0.01) during anagen, incl uding around the bulge region (the seat of epithelial stem cells). Substanc e P significantly accelerated anagen progression in murine skin organ cultu re, whereas calcitonin-gene-related peptide and a substance-P-inhibitory pe ptide inhibited anagen (p<0.05). The inhibitory effect of calcitonin-gene-r elated peptide could be antagonized by coadministrating substance P. In con trast to substance P, calcitonin-gene-related peptide failed to induce anag en when released from subcutaneous implants. This might reflect a different ial functional assignment of the neuropeptides calcitonin-gene-related pept ide and substance P in hair growth control, and invites the use of neuropep tide receptor agonists and antagonists as novel pharmacologic tools for the rapeutic hair growth manipulation.