Virginie Buhé

Influence of sensory neuropeptides on human cutaneous wound healing process

BACKGROUND Close interactions exist between primary sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and skin cells. The PNS may be implicated in the modulation of different skin functions as wound healing. OBJECTIVE Study the influence of sensory neurons in human cutaneous wound healing. METHODS We incubated injured human skin explants either with rat primary sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) or different neuropeptides (vasoactive intestinal peptide or VIP, calcitonin gene-related peptide or CGRP, substance P or SP) at various concentrations. Then we evaluated their effects on the proliferative and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling phases, dermal fibroblasts adhesion and differentiation into myofibroblasts. RESULTS Thus, DRG and all studied neuromediators increased fibroblasts and keratinocytes proliferation and act on the expression ratio between collagen type I and type III in favor of collagen I, particularly between the 3rd and 7th day of culture. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities of matrix metalloprotesases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were increased in the first days of wound healing process. Finally, the adhesion of human dermal fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts were promoted after incubation with neuromediators. Interestingly, the most potent concentrations for each tested molecules, were the lowest concentrations, corresponding to physiological concentrations. CONCLUSION Sensory neurons and their derived-neuropeptides are able to promote skin wound healing.

TRPV1 and TRPA1 in cutaneous neurogenic and chronic inflammation: pro-inflammatory response induced by their activation and their sensitization

ABSTRACTCutaneous neurogenic inflammation (CNI) is inflammation that is induced (or enhanced) in the skin by the release of neuropeptides from sensory nerve endings. Clinical manifestations are mainly sensory and vascular disorders such as pruritus and erythema. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and ankyrin 1 (TRPV1 and TRPA1, respectively) are non-selective cation channels known to specifically participate in pain and CNI. Both TRPV1 and TRPA1 are co-expressed in a large subset of sensory nerves, where they integrate numerous noxious stimuli. It is now clear that the expression of both channels also extends far beyond the sensory nerves in the skin, occuring also in keratinocytes, mast cells, dendritic cells, and endothelial cells. In these non-neuronal cells, TRPV1 and TRPA1 also act as nociceptive sensors and potentiate the inflammatory process. This review discusses the role of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in the modulation of inflammatory genes that leads to or maintains CNI in sensory neurons and non-neuronal skin cells. In addition, this review provides a summary of current research on the intracellular sensitization pathways of both TRP channels by other endogenous inflammatory mediators that promote the self-maintenance of CNI.

Self-maintenance of neurogenic inflammation contributes to a vicious cycle in skin.

Cutaneous neurogenic inflammation (CNI) is frequently associated with skin disorders. CNI is not limited to the retrograde signalling of nociceptive sensory nerve endings but can instead be regarded as a multicellular phenomenon. Thus, soluble mediators participating in communication among sensory nerves, skin and immune cells are key components of CNI. These interactions induce the self‐maintenance of CNI, promoting a vicious cycle. Certain G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a prominent role in these cell interactions and contribute to self‐maintenance. Protease‐activated receptors 2 and 4 (PAR‐2 and PAR‐4, respectively) and Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptors (Mrgprs) are implicated in the synthesis and release of neuropeptides, proteases and soluble mediators from most cutaneous cells. Regulation of the expression and release of these mediators contributes to the vicious cycle of CNI. The authors propose certain hypothetical therapeutic options to interrupt this cycle, which might reduce skin symptoms and improve patient quality of life.

Two-photon microscopy of dermal innervation in a human re-innervated model of skin

When skin is injured, innervation can be severely disrupted. The subsequent re‐innervation processes are poorly understood notably because of the inability to image the full meandering course of nerves with their ramifications and endings from histological slices. In this letter, we report on two‐photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy of entire human skin explants re‐innervated by rodent sensory neurons labelled with the styryl dye FM1‐43. TPEF imaging of nerve fibres to a depth up to roughly 300 μm within the dermis was demonstrated, allowing three‐dimensional reconstruction of the neural tree structure. Endogenous second‐harmonic imaging of type I fibrillar collagen was performed in parallel to TPEF imaging using the same nonlinear microscope, revealing the path of the nerves through the dermis.

In vitro models to study cutaneous innervation mechanisms

The skin is densely innervated to transmit all sensations (touch, temperature, pressure, pain, and pruritus) but not only it. Indeed, innervation plays a major role in the structuration of the epidermis, in its renewal, and in the process as wound healing. There are increasing evidences that skin cells and cutaneous nerve endings are in close interactions each other. So, to study them is an important issue to better understand the behavior of the skin and its both physiological and pathological processes. However, due to scientific, technical, ethical, or economic reasons, the study of these interactions in human or animals in vivo remains quite impossible. So, the development of in vitro models is crucial to better understand them. Since several years, all the actors of these interactions, skin cells such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, Merkel cells or stem cells, and sensory neurons, could be extracted and cultured independently or together so named 2-D cocultures. Other cocultures, the 3-D cocultures, could also be considered by the use of the epidermis or dermis or whole portions of native or reconstructed skin. These 3-D models offer also an alternative by the use of compartmented cocultures to only analyze the biochemical communication between the different types of cells. After a description of the different models available, this chapter will give some clues to define the best model(s) depending of the applications and, finally, will discuss of the advantages and the limitations of these types of cultures to study cutaneous innervation mechanisms.

Major Role for TRPV1 and InsP3R in PAR2-Elicited Inflammatory Mediator Production in Differentiated Human Keratinocytes

PAR2 activation in basal keratinocytes stimulates inflammation via the Ca2+-dependent production of mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and TSLP. In this study, we investigated PAR2 calcium signaling and the consequent production of inflammatory mediators in differentiated human primary keratinocytes (DhPKs). Stimulation with the PAR2-activating peptide SLIGKV promoted Ca2+ store depletion in both undifferentiated human primary keratinocytes and DhPKs. SLIGKV-evoked Ca2+ store depletion did not trigger the store-operated Ca2+ entry (i.e., SOCE) through ORAI1 in DhPKs compared with undifferentiated human primary keratinocytes. The inhibition of phospholipase C and the concomitant inhibition of TRPV1 and inositol triphosphate receptor in DhPKs abrogated the SLIGKV-evoked Ca2+ store depletion; NF-κB activity; and the production of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and TSLP. Taken together, these results indicate a key role for both InsP3R and TRPV1 in Ca2+ internal stores in the PAR2-evoked Ca2+ release and consequent skin inflammation in DhPKs. These findings may provide clues to understanding the pathological role of DhPKs in skin disorders in which PAR2 is known to be involved, such as atopic dermatitis, Netherton syndrome, and psoriasis.