Abstract
The study was designed to explore the expression of different neuropeptides, viz. vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), bombesin and motilin in the cells of fetal and adult human thymus. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that cortical and medullary thymocytes were labeled by all antibodies, except those specific for motilin. Immunoreactive VIP and SP were observed in the solitary epithelial cells located in the subcapsular/subtrabecular cortex, at the corticomedullary junction and in the medulla. The cells within the subcapsular/subtrabecular monolayer, rare solitary cells in the deep cortex and epithelial cell network in the medulla, were labeled with antibodies to CGRP and bombesin. Hassall?s corpuscles were labeled with all antibodies except that specific for SP. The obtained data obtained testify to the expression of different neuropeptides in human thymic lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells and suggest a role for neuroendocrine hormone-mediated mechanisms in the regulation of thymic homeostasis in humans.
Highlights
IntroductionThe well-documented presence of peptide neurotransmitter and hormone receptors on immune cells (Homo-Delarche and Dardenne, 1983; Bost, 1988; Jonhson and Torres, 1988; Heijnen, 2007) suggests that the peptides that regulate brain and endocrine system functions could be endogenous immunomodulatory substances, as well as bidirectional transmitters of information between the neuroendocrine and immune systems (Blalock, 1995)
We examined whether the the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), motilin and bombesin are present in cells of the human thymus
The highest density of thymocytes exhibiting VIP immunoreactivity was observed in the thymic deep cortex (Table 2 and Fig. 1)
Summary
The well-documented presence of peptide neurotransmitter and hormone receptors on immune cells (Homo-Delarche and Dardenne, 1983; Bost, 1988; Jonhson and Torres, 1988; Heijnen, 2007) suggests that the peptides that regulate brain and endocrine system functions could be endogenous immunomodulatory substances, as well as bidirectional transmitters of information between the neuroendocrine and immune systems (Blalock, 1995). We examined whether the the neuropeptides VIP, SP, CGRP, motilin and bombesin are present in cells of the human thymus
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