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A role for substance P in arthritis?
1Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, King's College, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK.
Neuroscience Letters
|May 12, 2004
Summary
Substance P, a neuropeptide, plays a role in arthritis inflammation. While its expression changes in arthritic joints and its antagonists show effects, its therapeutic use in rheumatoid arthritis is debated.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Rheumatology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Substance P is a neuropeptide released from sensory nerves.
- It exhibits pro-inflammatory effects.
- Arthritis involves complex inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for substance P's role in arthritis.
- To examine its involvement in animal models and human rheumatoid arthritis.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of NK(1) receptor antagonists.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental animal models of arthritis.
- Analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patient data.
- Investigation of substance P expression.
- Evaluation of neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) receptor antagonist effects.
Main Results:
- Substance P expression is altered in arthritic joints and dorsal horn.
- Exogenous substance P and NK(1) receptor antagonists modulate joint responses.
- Evidence suggests a role for substance P in human joint disease.
Conclusions:
- Substance P is implicated in the inflammatory pathways of arthritis.
- NK(1) receptor antagonists show potential but their efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis is uncertain.
- Further research is needed to clarify the therapeutic value of targeting substance P.