Calcitonin gene-related peptide is an important regulator of cutaneous immunity: effect on dendritic cell and T cell functions

J Immunol. 2011 Jun 15;186(12):6886-93. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100028. Epub 2011 May 6.

Abstract

Some cutaneous inflammations are induced by percutaneous exposure to foreign Ags, and many chemical mediators regulate this inflammation process. One of these mediators, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is a neuropeptide released from nerve endings in the skin. CGRP binds to its receptors composed of receptor activity-modifying protein 1 and calcitonin receptor-like receptor to modulate immune cell function. We show that CGRP regulates skin inflammation under physiological conditions, using contact hypersensitivity (CHS) models of receptor activity-modifying protein 1-deficient mice. CGRP has different functions in CHS responses mediated by Th1 or Th2 cells; it inhibits Th1-type CHS, such as 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene-induced CHS, but promotes Th2-type CHS, such as FITC-induced CHS. CGRP inhibits the migration of Langerin(+) dermal dendritic cells to the lymph nodes in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene-induced CHS, and upregulates IL-4 production of T cells in the draining lymph nodes in FITC-CHS. These findings suggest that CGRP regulates several types of CHS reactions under physiological conditions and plays an important role in cutaneous immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / immunology*
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / physiology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dermatitis, Contact / immunology
  • Immunity
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Skin / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide