TY - JOUR
T1 - Analysis of neuropeptides in stretched skin
AU - Chin, Michael S.
AU - Lancerotto, Luca
AU - Helm, Douglas L.
AU - Dastouri, Pouya
AU - Prsa, Michael J.
AU - Ottensmeyer, Mark
AU - Akaishi, Satoshi
AU - Orgill, Dennis P.
AU - Ogawa, Rei
PY - 2009/7/1
Y1 - 2009/7/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Mechanical forces modulate wound healing and scar formation through mechanotransduction. In response to mechanical stimulation, neuropeptides are released from peripheral terminals of primary afferent sensory neurons, influencing skin and immune cell functions and increasing vascular permeability, causing neurogenic inflammation. METHODS: A computer-controlled device was used to stretch murine skin. C57Bl6 mice (n = 26) were assigned to a cyclical square-wave tensile stimulation for 4 hours or continuous stimulation for 4 hours. Stretched skin was analyzed for expression of the neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, their receptors (NK1R and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor component protein), and growth factors (nerve growth factor, transforming growth factor β1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and epidermal growth factor) using immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Cyclical stimulation resulted in a significant increase in expression of neuropeptides and growth factors, whereas the corresponding peptide receptors were down-regulated. Transcription of neuropeptide mRNA was elevated in stretched skin, which proves that neuropeptides are released from not only peripheral terminals of nerve fibers but also resident skin cells. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results suggest that skin stretching may alter cell physiology by stimulating neuropeptide expression, and that cyclical mechanical force may be more effectively stimulating mechanosensitive nociceptors or mechanoreceptors (mechanosensors) on cells.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mechanical forces modulate wound healing and scar formation through mechanotransduction. In response to mechanical stimulation, neuropeptides are released from peripheral terminals of primary afferent sensory neurons, influencing skin and immune cell functions and increasing vascular permeability, causing neurogenic inflammation. METHODS: A computer-controlled device was used to stretch murine skin. C57Bl6 mice (n = 26) were assigned to a cyclical square-wave tensile stimulation for 4 hours or continuous stimulation for 4 hours. Stretched skin was analyzed for expression of the neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, their receptors (NK1R and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor component protein), and growth factors (nerve growth factor, transforming growth factor β1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and epidermal growth factor) using immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Cyclical stimulation resulted in a significant increase in expression of neuropeptides and growth factors, whereas the corresponding peptide receptors were down-regulated. Transcription of neuropeptide mRNA was elevated in stretched skin, which proves that neuropeptides are released from not only peripheral terminals of nerve fibers but also resident skin cells. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results suggest that skin stretching may alter cell physiology by stimulating neuropeptide expression, and that cyclical mechanical force may be more effectively stimulating mechanosensitive nociceptors or mechanoreceptors (mechanosensors) on cells.
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U2 - 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181a81542
DO - 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181a81542
M3 - Article
C2 - 19568049
AN - SCOPUS:68249104928
SN - 0032-1052
VL - 124
SP - 102
EP - 113
JO - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
JF - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
IS - 1
ER -