Interest: Neuropeptide
Control of Immune Responses after a combination
of Burn Injury and Ethanol
Substance P, a neuropeptide contained in visceral
sensory nerves has a dual afferent/efferent
functions and is also known to play a major
role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines
by leukocytes (e.g. macrophages). We recently
reported that burn injury-induced changes in
the cellular localization of Substance P, its
cognate receptor and the metalloprotease responsible
for degradation of Substance P, is augmented
by the presence of ethanol relative to other
treatment groups. Coincident with ethanol-induced
changes in Substance P cellular localization
is increased protein levels for IL-6. This enhanced
presence of IL-6 ileal tissue may be dependent
on Substance P release. Current studies are
expanding these observations by determining
whether modulation of Substance P play a role
in the increased levels of pro-inflammatory
cytokine, IL-6. This research may suggest new
therapeutic approaches to gastrointestinal system-induced
septicemia after a combination of ethanol and
thermal injury.
