Changes in nerves and neuropeptides in skin from 100 leprosy patients investigated by immunocytochemistry

Abstract

The cutaneous innervation is now known to contain neuropeptides including substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in sensory nerves, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), principally in autonomic nerves. Skin biopsies from 100 leprosy patients and equivalent areas from 50 non-leprosy controls were fixed in p-benzoquinone solution for immunofluorescence staining and in Bouin's fluid for classification of leprosy type. Antisera to the neural markers, neurofilaments, and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), and to neuropeptides were used. Cutaneous nerves and nerve endings immunoreactive for neuropeptides, neurofilaments, and PGP 9.5 were seen in all non-leprous control cases. In leprosy, PGP 9.5- and neurofilament-immunoreactive nerve fibres were seen in all 14 cases of the indeterminate (early) type and in the majority (33/43) of lepromatous cases, but in a smaller proportion (15/43) of tuberculoid cases. Neuropeptide immunoreactivity was seen in only 2/14 of the indeterminate leprosy specimens and was completely absent in other types. This early disappearance may be of diagnostic significance. Thus, cutaneous sensory and autonomic dysfunctions in leprosy are well reflected by changes in nerve fibres and neuropeptides.

Mucosal Nerves in Endobronchial Biopsies in Asthma and Non-Asthma

“…The antisera used to detect SP and CGRP have both previously been substantiated in other tissue, be ing used to delineate neuropeptide-containing nerves in the central nervous system [ 16], skin [ 17] and respir atory tract [18]. Within resected lung tissue, SP-im munoreactive nerves are difficult to detect or absent, a finding consistent with the reported findings of Ol lerenshaw et al [11,12] in non-asthmatic subjects.…”

Immunohistochemical Findings in Notalgia paresthetica

“…Immunohistochemical methods have been used to investigate cutaneous innervation changes in various dermatological diseases such as leprosy, systemic sclerosis, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis [18, 19, 20, 21]. Substance P is among the neuropeptides detected in sensory nerves of the skin and VIP is known to be present in cutaneous autonomic nerves.…”

Leprosy patients: neurotrophic factors and axonal markers in skin lesions

“…Similar results were observed regarding the expression of PGP 9.5 (BB: p<0.001 and LL: p<0.05) and NF-L (LL: p<0.05), suggesting higher Remak bundles degeneration in multibacillary leprosy. Likewise, Karanth et al 29 observed impairment in PGP 9.5 and neurofilament immunoreactivity in leprosy lesions, mainly in tuberculoid patients. Moreover, the authors reported lack of neuropeptides in most of leprosy lesions.…”