746 PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 1, THE CALCITONIN-GENE RELATED PEPTIDE AND VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL POLYPEPTIDE ARE INVOLVED IN THE CONTROL OF HUMAN VAGINAL ARTERIAL VESSELS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research1 Apr 2011746 PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 1, THE CALCITONIN-GENE RELATED PEPTIDE AND VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL POLYPEPTIDE ARE INVOLVED IN THE CONTROL OF HUMAN VAGINAL ARTERIAL VESSELS Stefan Ückert, Matthias Oelke, Markus Kuczyk, and Petter Hedlund Stefan ÜckertStefan Ückert Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Matthias OelkeMatthias Oelke Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Markus KuczykMarkus Kuczyk Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , and Petter HedlundPetter Hedlund Milan, Italy More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1771AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The vagina contributes mainly to the normal female sexual response cycle. An increase in vaginal blood flow is considered a key event in the mechanism of sexual arousal. Recent research has focused mainly on the cyclic GMP pathway and the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5, cyclic GMP-specific PDE) in the control of vaginal vascular smooth muscle. In contrast, only little is known on the role of other key proteins and mediators of the cyclic nucleotide mediated signaling in this process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in the human vagina, by means of immunohistochemistry, the expression and distribution of the phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1, known to hydrolize both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) in relation to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). METHODS Cryostat sections of the human vagina (full wall specimens) were incubated with antibodies directed against PDE1, CGRP, VIP, PGP 9.5 and alpha-actin, followed by exposure to fluorochrome-labelled secondary antibodies. Visualization was commenced by means of laser fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Microscopical examination revealed a dense meshwork of PGP 9.5-positive nerve fibers innervating the sections of the vaginal wall. Small vessels interspersing the tissue presented dense staining for PDE1 in their smooth musculature while no signals were observed in the non-vascular smooth muscle. The vessels were found innervated by PGP-positive varicose nerve fibers characterized by the expression of CGRP. Some fibers also presented immunosignals specific for VIP. CONCLUSIONS Key mediators of the cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP pathways are co-localized in nerves seen in close proximity to vascular smooth muscle expressing PDE1. These findings give hint that both signaling cascades are involved in the control of vaginal blood flow. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e300 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Stefan Ückert Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Matthias Oelke Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Markus Kuczyk Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Petter Hedlund Milan, Italy More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...