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Normal and PPP-affected palmoplantar sweat gland express neuroendocrine markers chromogranins and synaptophysin differently

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Abstract

Earlier findings indicate the acrosyringium as the target for the inflammation in the chronic and intensely inflammatory skin disease palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). The sweat gland apparatus seems to be an immune-competent structure that probably contributes to the defence of the skin. Furthermore, the sweat gland and duct may be a hitherto unrecognized neuroendocrine organ because it expresses cholineacetyl-transferase and acetylcholinesterase, nicotinic receptors, beta-adrenergic and angiotensin receptors. The aim of this study was to obtain further information about neuroendocrine properties of the sweat gland apparatus by examining the expression of common neuroendocrine markers synaptophysin and chromogranins A and B in healthy palmar skin and in PPP skin. Synaptophysin and chromogranins were expressed in the sweat glands and ducts with some variation in the pattern and intensity of the expression. In PPP skin the expression differed, being higher and lower, depending on the part of the sweat duct. Chromogranins were further expressed in the epidermis, endothelium and inflammatory cells, but its intensity was weaker in epidermis than in the sweat gland apparatus. In most cases, chromogranins in epidermis in involved PPP were weakly expressed compared to healthy controls. The presence of synaptophysin and chromogranins in palmoplantar skin may have marked neuroendocrine effects, and the palmoplantar skin is likely to have important neuroimmuno-endocrine properties. Moreover, the altered chromogranin expression in PPP skin might influence both the neuroendocrine and neuroimmunologic properties of palmoplantar skin in these patients. These results indicate important neuroendocrine properties of the palmoplantar skin.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Psoriasis Association, the E Welander and Finsen Foundations, the Swedish Medical Society and the Medical Faculty of the University of Uppsala.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Sciences, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden

    Eva Hagforsen, Gerd Michaëlsson & Mats Stridsberg

  2. Medical Sciences, Dermatology, University Hospital, Entrance 85, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden

    Eva Hagforsen

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  1. Eva Hagforsen
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  2. Gerd Michaëlsson
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  3. Mats Stridsberg
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Correspondence to Eva Hagforsen.

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Hagforsen, E., Michaëlsson, G. & Stridsberg, M. Normal and PPP-affected palmoplantar sweat gland express neuroendocrine markers chromogranins and synaptophysin differently. Arch Dermatol Res 302, 685–693 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-010-1070-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-010-1070-3

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