Neuroimmunology of Stress: Skin Takes Center Stage

Abstract

Like few other organs, the skin is continuously exposed to multiple exogenous and endogenous stressors. Superimposed on this is the impact of psychological stress on skin physiology and pathology. Here, we review the "brain-skin connection," which may underlie inflammatory skin diseases triggered or aggravated by stress, and we summarize relevant general principles of skin neuroimmunology and neuroendocrinology. Specifically, we portray the skin and its appendages as both a prominent target of key stress mediators (such as corticotropin-releasing hormone, ACTH, cortisol, catecholamines, prolactin, substance P, and nerve growth factor) and a potent source of these prototypic, immunomodulatory mediators of the stress responses. We delineate current views on the role of mast cell-dependent neurogenic skin inflammation and discuss the available evidence that the skin has established a fully functional peripheral equivalent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as an independent, local stress response system. To cope with stress-induced oxidative damage, the skin and hair follicles also express melatonin, probably the most potent neuroendocrine antioxidant. Lastly, we outline major, as-yet unmet challenges in cutaneous stress research, particularly in the study of the cross-talk between peripheral and systemic responses to psychological stress and in the identification of promising molecular targets for therapeutic stress intervention.

Alopesi Areatada Stresin Rolü ve Hastaların Yaşam Kalitesinin Androgenetik Alopesi ve Sağlıklı Kontrollerle Karşılaştırılması

“…Emosyonel stresin alopesi areatayı (AA) tetiklediği henüz net olarak gösterilmiş olmasa da, nöroendokrinolojik çalışmalar psikolojik stresin AA hastalık sürecinde etkili olabileceğini desteklemektedir [1][2][3] . Stresli yaşam olayları ile AA başlangıcı veya AA atağı arasındaki anlamlı ilişki tanımlayan çalışmalar kadar, ilişki bildirmeyen çalışmalar da mevcuttur 4,5 .…”

Childhood Psoriasis

“…Son yıllarda gözlemlenen ve bahsedilen bu çalışma ile de desteklenen önemli bir bulgu, sadece çevresel kaynaklı stres yaratan olaylara odaklanmanın doğru bir yaklaşım olmadığına işaret etmektedir. Veriler, stresin öznel yaşanma biçiminin strese yol açan durumlardan daha önemli bir etken olduğunu göstermiştir [24][25][26] . 2009 yılında Güleç ve ark.…”

Molecular Basis of Neuroimmune Interaction in an In Vitro Coculture Approach

“…Acute restraint stress resulted dura mater mast cell activation in normal mice but not in NK-1 receptor-knockout mice (118). Substance P and NK-1 receptors are also reported to act as important regulators in the molecular signaling network modulating inflammatory response in alopecia areata and autoimmune hair loss (119)(120)(121).…”