Skin Sympathetic Adrenergic Innervation: an Immunofluorescence Confocal Study

Overview

Journal Ann Neurol

Specialty Neurology

Date 2006 Jan 27

PMID 16437571

Citations 30

Authors

Vincenzo Donadio

Maria Nolano

Vincenzo Provitera

Annamaria Stancanelli

Francesco Lullo

Rocco Liguori

Lucio Santoro

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize sympathetic adrenergic innervation of the skin in healthy subjects using dopamine beta hydroxylase (DbetaH) as a specific marker for noradrenergic fibers.

Methods: Sympathetic adrenergic innervation of human skin was studied in 10 healthy subjects by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy applied to punch skin biopsies. Noradrenergic fibers were identified both in glabrous and hairy skin using DbetaH antibody.

Results: DbetaH immunoreactive fibers were mainly localized in arteriovenous anastomoses, arrector pilorum muscles, and arterioles, whereas few adrenergic fibers were found around sweat glands.

Interpretation: Our description of sympathetic adrenergic innervation of human skin aims to improve the diagnostic ability of skin biopsy to detect selective autonomic nervous system disorders.

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