Neuropeptides, nerve growth factor and eczema

Considerable evidence indicates that peripheral nerve fibres play an active regulatory role during eczematous reactions. Many basic features of the inflammatory process are potentially subject to neuropeptidergic modulation, such as vascular changes, cellular trafficking activation and trophism in vivo and in vitro investigations suggest that neuropeptides are part of the complex network of mediators that initiate and maintain the eczematous process in the skin. In general, peptidergic fibres seem to exert a global protective role, but with specific and selective effects in the different phases. Evidence that the inflammatory process induces bio-chemical changes at a neuronal level has also been obtained. The possible mediators of the neuronal recruitment in the course of the eczematous reaction are still unknown. Nevertheless, nerve growth factor, which is locally increased during inflammatory processes and may induce peptidergic alterations, should be considered as a potential candidate molecule.