Substance P: An Inflammatory Peptide

Abstract

Substance P (SP) is involved in neurogenic inflammation and in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, demonstrating that there is a narrow interrelationship between the nervous system and immunity. Macrophage functions are altered in stress, therefore, since SP is a macrophage activator, its biological effect has been intimately linked to stress. In fact, SP enhances LPS-induced macrophage TNFα production from stressed animals and stimulates the production of IL-8 CXC chemokine response in a mast cell line in vitro . The stress-induced cytokines from macrophage also alter and contribute to inflammation. Understanding the pathophysiology of inflammation and the role of the chemical mediator SP may improve inflammation management.