Characterization of dermal skin innervation in fibromyalgia syndrome

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 13;15(1):e0227674. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227674. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Introduction: We characterized dermal innervation in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as potential contribution to small fiber pathology.

Methods: Skin biopsies of the calf were collected (86 FMS patients, 35 healthy controls). Skin was immunoreacted with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5, calcitonine gene-related peptide, substance P, CD31, and neurofilament 200 for small fiber subtypes. We assessed two skin sections per patient; on each skin section, two dermal areas (150 x 700 μm each) were investigated for dermal nerve fiber length (DNFL).

Results: In FMS patients we found reduced DNFL of fibers with vessel contact compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). There were no differences for the other nerve fiber subtypes.

Discussion: We found less dermal nerve fibers in contact with blood vessels in FMS patients than in controls. The pathophysiological relevance of this finding is unclear, but we suggest the possibility of a relationship with impaired thermal tolerance commonly reported by FMS patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dermis / blood supply
  • Dermis / innervation*
  • Dermis / pathology*
  • Epidermis / innervation
  • Epidermis / pathology
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The study was supported by an unrestricted grant from the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (N.Ü.: 2014_A129). N.Ü. was supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG: UE171-5/1). This publication was supported by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Wuerzburg. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.