Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP)

CGRP is an important cutaneous neuropeptide. It is widely expressed in both the central and peripheral nervous system. CGRP is known as pro inflammatory factor and is thought to be involved in neurogenic inflammation. It was reported that CGRP stimulate the adhesiveness of human umbilical vein endothelial cells for monocytic cell line and neutrophils.The function of CGRP in skin remains unclear. However, evidences suggested that it may be directly involved in modulating the functions of keratinocytes, Langerhans cells and microvascular endothelial cells in the skin.On the other hand, psoriasis is generally known as inflammatory and proliferative skin disorder. In psoriatic plaque lesion there are epidermal influx of polymorphonulear leukocytes, and the presence of mononuclear infiltration in the papillary dermis and in the epidermis.