Aims: 

We investigate neuro-immune interactions in inflammatory processes of the lung, skin and joint. Therefore, we aimed at simultaneously analyzing 40 cytokines of pro-inflammatory (e.g. IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, macrophage inflammatory peptide), anti-inflammatory (IL-10), chemo-attractant (B lymphocyte, keratinocyte and monocyte chemo-attractants: BLC, KC, MCP-1) and immuno-modulatory marker (inter-cellular adhesion molecule: ICAM-1) in tissue homogenates with reverse blot technique (RandD Systems).

Methods: 

Three inflammation models with distinct pathological mechanisms were used in C57BL/6 mice, functional parameters (airway reactivity, edema, mechanonociceptive thresholds) were measured to confirm the process. Subacute pneumonitis was evoked by intranasal E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the lungs were excised 24 h later, PBS-treated mice served as intact controls. Allergic contact dermatitis was induced by smearing 2% oxazolone dissolved in ethanol on the ears of mice sensitized with oxazolone 6 days earlier. The ears were taken 24h later, ethanol-treated samples referred to non-inflamed controls. Chronic arthritis was elicited by complete Freund's adjuvant (i.pl. and tail root) and the tibio-tarsal joints were excised 21 days later.

Results: 

The most prominent cytokines showing the highest expression in the inflamed lung were BLC, KC, MCP-1, IL-1alpha and beta, macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1 and 2). Meanwhile, in dermatitis IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-16, KC, MCP-5, and MIPs were most remarkably upregulated. In the chronic arthritis BLC and ICAM-1 increased significantly.

Conclusion: 

These exploratory experiments determined the most important cellular markers in these distinct patho-physiological processes. According to the results we will measure these markers in sensory neuropeptide deficient mice to reveal the links between sensory nerves and immune cells.