[24] Neuropeptides as immunomodulators: Measurements of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors in the immune system

Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits early B cell development in vivo

Recent in vitro studies suggest that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibits early B cell differentiation; however, there is no evidence in the intact animal for a role for CGRP in B cell development. Here, we show that in vivo treatment of mice with CGRP reduces the number of IL-7 responsive B cell progenitors in bone marrow. A single CGRP treatment reduces IL-7-responsive B cell progenitors by up to 40% for up to 72 h. The reduction is dose-dependent and can be blocked by a CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP(8-37). CGRP in serum following injection is highly elevated at 30 min but returns to basal levels by 4 h, suggesting that a single injection of CGRP has long-lasting effects on B cell development. This report provides the first direct in vivo evidence that CGRP, a neuropeptide with multiple effects on mature lymphocytes, also plays a regulatory role in early B cell development in the bone marrow.