The substance P and somatostatin interferon-gamma immunoregulatory circuit.

Murine schistosomiasis mansoni is a parasitic disease in which flukes living in the portal vein of the host produce ova that deposit in the liver and intestines. In these organs, ova release antigens that induce chronic, focal granulomatous inflammation. IFN-gamma is an inflammatory cytokine important in macrophage activation and B-cell differentiation. A substance P (SP)/somatostatin (SOM) neurokine immunoregulatory circuit controls IFN-gamma production in schistosome granulomas. SP stimulates, while SOM inhibits IFN-gamma release, modulating IFN-gamma-dependent circuitry. SP and SOM function through interaction with authentic SP and SOM receptors located on granuloma T cells. Also, the granulomas produce authentic SP and SOM14, as evidenced by the presence of mRNA and product. The granulomas have no nerves. This, and other data suggest that the inflammatory cells make these neurokines. Granuloma macrophages produce SOM. Macrophages from various sources express SOM mRNA in response to LPS, IFN-gamma, IL-10 or several other inflammatory mediators. Thus, the inflammation of murine schistosomiasis has a complete SP/SOM immunoregulatory circuit, which in turn is subject to immunoregulation.