The Relationship of Stress and Susceptibility to Infections in the Skin

Abstract

The skin provides a cover for the body, and serves as an immune competent organ. This project sought to determine whether the skin also has a neuroendocrine function. I have demonstrated that the majority of the cells in the epidermis, e.g. keratinocytes and the bone marrow derived Langerhans cells express the mRNA for proopiomelanocortin. Furthermore, I have shown that keratinocytes do not demonstrate detectable opiate receptors on their cell surface, but do express the sigma receptor. The proliferation of keratinocytes is not influenced by nerve growth factor. Finally, I have shown that keratinocytes secrete IL-6 but, contrary to a recent report in the literature, recombinant IL-6 does not stimulate the growth of normal human keratinocytes. Keywords: Immune, Neuroendocrine, Opiate receptors, Sigma receptors, Proopiomelanocortin mRNA, In vitro, Cell culture, Nerve growth factor.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 31, 1990
Accession Number
ADA225957

Entities

People

  • Vera B. Morhenn

Organizations

  • Veterans Administration Medical Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Albumins
  • Bone Marrow
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Classification
  • Contracts
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Growth Factors
  • Infection
  • Peptide Growth Factors
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Security
  • Skin Diseases
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Prostate Cancer Biology.