Expression of selected neuropeptides in pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are chronic subepidermal bullous diseases, which progress together with an itch and an inflammatory reaction. These symptoms may be the cause of a phenomenon described in the literature as a neurogenic skin inflammation. Neuropeptides are one of the mediators which take part in this process. The aim of our study was to indicate the expression of selected neuropeptides - CRF (corticotropin releasing factor), CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), NKB (neurokinin B), SP (substance P) and the receptor for endothelin B (ETRB) - in the skin of patients suffering from BP or DH. A significantly increased expression of CRF was found in the specimen collected from the skin lesions of patients with BP and DH as well as a significantly increased expression of receptor for endothelin B in the patients with DH by the immunohistochemical method. The results obtained give evidence of a possible participation of CRF and receptor for endothelin B in the pathogenesis of the itch in the dermatitis herpetiformis as well as CRF in bullous pemphigoid.