Neuropeptide-containing Nerve Fibers Research Articles

Neuroimmuno-modulation in gastric mucosa

Several neuropeptides were supposed to take place in the protection of gastric mucosa and play role in the development of gastritis. To investigate morphological relationship between nerve fibres and immunocytes, to find out if these cells synthetize some neuropeptides and if there is there any co-existence with TNF-α and NFκ-B. Immunohistochemical, confocal laser microscopic methods were used to investigate nerve fibres, immunocompetent cells in control and gastritis mucosa. The number of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres increased significantly. In control stomach the number of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and mast cells was low and showed no immunoreactivity for neuropeptide antibodies. However, in gastritis, some of the immunocompetent cells were immunoreactive for SP and for NPY. Some of the SP immunoreactive cells showed also positive reaction for TNF-α and NFκ-B. The distance between nerve fibres and immunocytes was 1 µm or less. The increase of neuropeptides released from nerve fibres and immunocompetent cells can take part in neurogenic inflammation and generate chronic gastritis.

Neuropeptide, Mast Cell, and Myofibroblast Expression After Rabbit Deep Flexor Tendon Repair

Increased numbers of myofibroblasts, mast cells, and neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers have been found in a number of fibrotic processes in connective tissues. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of factors implicated in a hypothesized profibrotic neuropeptide-mast cell-myofibroblast pathway in deep flexor tendon healing. In a rabbit model of flexor tendon injury, with repair of the sharply transected deep flexor tendon using a modified Kessler and a running circumferential peripheral suture, segments of flexor tendons and sheaths were analyzed. The time points chosen-3, 6, 21, and 42 days after tendon repair-represent different stages in tendon healing. The messenger RNA levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin were measured with conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the numbers of myofibroblasts, mast cells, and neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers were determined with immunohistochemistry. The messenger RNA levels for transforming growth factor-β1 and the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased in deep flexor tendons after injury and repair, at all studied time points, but remained unchanged or even down-regulated in the sheaths. Myofibroblasts, mast cells, and neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers all increased significantly in the healing tendons, exhibiting similar patterns of change in percentages of total cell number over time, reaching levels resembling that of the tendon sheaths with 33% to 50% of the total cell population. After injury to the deep flexor tendon in a rabbit model, the proportion of myofibroblasts, mast cells, and neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers increases significantly. These findings support the hypothesis that the profibrotic neuropeptide-mast cell-myofibroblast pathway is activated in deep flexor tendon healing.

Effects of raw soy diet on the rat parotid gland

Soy is increasingly used as a food additive. In women, it is recommended as an alternative to hormonal replacement therapy and/or a preventive agent against breast cancer and osteoporosis. Previous data revealed that rats fed on raw soybean diet developed pancreas hypertrophy and hyperplasia. An animal model was used in our experiment to examine the effects of raw soybean on parotid gland of rats. The purpose of this study was to light on the role of different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres on changes in the acinar cells. The morphological structure and the neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers (NPY, GAL, SOM, SP, CGRP, VIP) of the glands were examined by light and electronmicroscopy. Significant increase of the organ weight was detected in the animals fed by raw soybean compared to control samples. Changes in the number of different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres were various: Significant decrease in the NPY-immunoreactive (IR) and significant increase in the GAL-IR nerve fibres were observed....

Changes of the Different Neuropeptide‐Containing Nerve Fibers and Immunocells in the Diabetic Rat's Alimentary Tract

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, where neuropeptides and immunocells might play important roles in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this article we have quantified the different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers and immunocells in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat's alimentary tract (tongue, duodenum, colon) using immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical methods. The immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibers were found in all layers of the alimentary tract and their distribution pattern was similar in both control and diabetic groups. Mast cell-nerve fiber contacts were rarely found in the controls. However, after 4 weeks duration of diabetes the number of IR nerve fibers and the immunocompetent cells increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the number of mast cell-nerve fiber contacts was even more significantly increased (P < 0.001). The distance between nerve fibers and immunocells was about 1 mum or even less. Some of the mast cells were degranulated in the vicinity of nerve fibers. No immunocompetent cells were IR for any antisera in the control. However, after the streptozotocin treatment, a large number of the immunocompetent cells showed immunoreactivity for SP and NPY. Counting all immunocompetent cells in whole sections showed that 12.3% of them were IR for SP and 25.4% were IR for NPY. Increased number of SP-containing nerve fibers and immunocells in diabetes mellitus might be the reason for painful neuropathy and might amplify the inflammatory reaction in an axon reflex manner; the released histamine and leukotrienes, cytokines, and chemokines might cause inflammations and lesions of the mucosa.

Neuronal Plasticity in Persistent Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Persistent perennial allergic rhinitis belongs to the most frequent diseases in occupational and environmental medicine. Because the innervation may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the present study analyzed nasal mucosal nerve profiles. Neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers were examined using immunohistochemistry and related to eosinophil and mast cell numbers. In contrast to constant numbers of mast cells, there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils. Immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) revealed abundant staining of mucosal nerves. Semiquantitative assessment of nerve fiber neuropeptide density demonstrated a significant increase of VIP-positive fibers in rhinitis tissues. The present data indicate a differential regulation of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers with increased numbers of VIPergic fibers suggesting a modulatory role of the upper airway innervation in perennial allergic rhinitis.

Plasticity of the different neuropeptide‐containing nerve fibres in the tongue of the diabetic rat

Common oral complications of diabetes mellitus are xerostomia, impairment of taste, atrophic lesions of the tongue, leukoplakia, lichen oris planus, and tumours, which might be the consequence of chronic inflammation and changes in innervation. In this work, we examined the density of different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres immunohisto- and immunocytochemically in the root of the control and diabetic rat's tongue. Quantitative analysis showed that the number of immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres was decreased after 1 week of the streptozotocin treatment, which was prevented by immediate insulin treatment. However, after 4 weeks duration of diabetes, the number of all investigated IR nerve fibres increased significantly (p<0.05), which was further enhanced by the delayed insulin treatment. The numbers of substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide IR perikarya were also increased by insulin treatment. The electron-microscopic investigations showed that some of the nerve terminals from diabetic animals were found in degeneration. After 4 weeks duration of diabetes, the number of inflammatory cells as well as the mast cell/nerve fibre contacts was also increased. The immunocells also showed IR for SP and neuropeptide Y in the diabetic rats. The insulin treatment decreased both the number and the immunoreactivity of these cells. The increased synthesis and/or regeneration of neuropeptide-containing nerves might indicate the plasticity of nerve fibres in diabetes mellitus, which might happen as a consequence of the changes in the level of neurotrophic factors released by increased number of inflammatory cells or as an effect of insulin.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the different neuropeptide containing nerve fibres and immunocompetent cells in the gastritis

Background aims: Changes of the density of different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres might be important in the different diseases. Therefore our aim was to investigate the precise localization and distribution of the different immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres in the mucosa of the stomach and compare with the data from the biopsy of patients with gastritis.

Peptidergic innervation in the rat carotid body after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of hypocapnic hypoxic exposure.

The distribution and abundance of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers were examined in the carotid bodies of rats exposed to hypocapnic hypoxia (10% O2 in N2) for 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The carotid bodies after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of hypoxic exposure were enlarged by 1.2-1.5 times in the short axis, and 1.3-1.7 times in the long axis in comparison with the normoxic control ones. The enlarged carotid bodies contained a number of expanded blood vessels. Mean density per unit area (10(4) microm2) of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive fibers was transiently high in the carotid bodies after 4 weeks of hypoxic exposure, and decreased significantly to nearly or under 50% after 8 weeks of hypoxic exposure. Density of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactive fibers increased significantly in all periods of hypoxic exposure observed, and was especially high in the carotid bodies after 4 weeks of hypoxic exposure. Density of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive fibers was unchanged in the carotid bodies during hypoxic exposure. These characteristic changes in the density of SP, CGRP, and VIP fibers in the carotid bodies after 4 weeks of hypoxic exposure suggest that the role of these neuropeptide-containing fibers may be different in the carotid bodies after each of three periods of hypoxic exposure, and that the peptidergic innervation after 8 weeks of hypoxic exposure may show an acclimatizing state.

125I-labeled galanin binding sites in congenital innervation defects of the distal colon.

Neuropeptides have turned out to be promising new parameters, in addition to the routinely performed histochemical diagnosis, of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Studies of the peptidergic innervation of the affected intestinal segment of patients with HD have demonstrated a marked reduction in the density of several neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers. The frequency of nerve fibers storing the neuropeptide galanin (GAL) was found to be unchanged or slightly reduced in HD, but nothing is known about the occurrence of GAL receptors. In this study, in vitro receptor autoradiography using (125)I-labeled GAL and GAL immunofluorescence have been performed on frozen tissue sections from colon biopsies of 10 patients diagnosed with HD, 8 patients with intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND B) and 20 patients with chronic obstruction but normal innervation. Binding sites were mainly detected in the mucosal and muscular layer, in acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve fiber bundles and ganglia within the submucosal layer and in close association to blood vessels. An increased population of GAL receptor positive, parasympathetic nerve fibers was seen in the aganglionic segment of HD as compared to controls and IND B. In contrast, GAL immunostaining which was unchanged in HD revealed a significant lack of GAL-positive structures in IND B colon biopsies. Colocalization of GAL and GAL binding sites was only observed in thick nerve fibers in the submucosa. The presence of GAL binding sites in different cellular structures suggests an involvement of GAL in various physiological functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Substance P Regulates PTH Secretion through the Neurokinin-1 Receptor

The primary regulator of PTH secretion is serum ionized Ca2+; however, neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers have been localized to the parathyroid gland. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not substance P (SP) regulates PTH secretion. In dispersed porcine parathyroid cells, SP reversibly inhibited 0.5 mM CaCl2-induced PTH secretion (IC50 = 0.29 nM) and had no effect at CaCl2 concentrations of 1.5 mM and greater. At 0.5 mM CaCl2, treatment with a NK-1 selective receptor agonist resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in PTH secretion (IC50 = 0.21 nM). In contrast, NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists were approximately 100-fold less active than SP or the NK-1 receptor selective agonist. An enantiospecific reversal of the effects of SP on PTH secretion was observed with LY306740, a potent selective NK-1 receptor antagonist (Ki = 0.125 nM). In porcine parathyroid cells, expression of mRNA for the NK-1 receptor was observed using RT-PCR. In summary, a novel neuroendocrine pathway is described whereby the neuropeptide, SP, regulates PTH secretion through NK-1 receptors.

Chapter 27 Neural influence on immune responses: underlying suppositions and basic principles of neural-immune signaling

This chapter describes the work from the laboratories of D. Felten, S. Stevens, Bellinger, Madden, Livnat, ThyagaRajan, and associated colleagues, characterizing the potential role of sympathetic nerves and the transmitter norepinephrine to modulate immune responses relevant to disease. Noradrenergic (NA) sympathetic nerve fibers innervate the vasculature and parenchyma of both primary lymphoid organs (bone marrow, thymus) and secondary lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes). These nerve fibers arborize into specific compartments of lymphoid organs (e.g. periarteriolar lymphatic sheath and marginal sinudzone of the splenic white pulp, and the medullary cords and cortex/paracortex of lymph nodes), and end in close proximity (as close as 6 nm) to a variety of target cells of the immune system, including macrophages, T lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8 +), granulocytes, and NK cells. Many subsets of these same cells express selective receptor subtypes for catecholamines and for many neuropeptides, permitting direct signaling. Many neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers (e.g. substance P, calcitonin G-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide) also arborize in the parenchyma of lymphoid organs, separate from the NA nerve fibers. In addition, neuropeptide Y is colocalized in most, but not all, of the NA nerve fibers in lymphoid organs. Sympathetic nerves and their principal neurotransmitter, NE, can influence: (a) basic immune cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, cytokine production, and cell trafficking; (b) acquired immune responses (cell mediated and humoral); (c) autoimmune reactivity in susceptible strains; (d) some functional parameters of immunosenescence; and (e) responses to challenge with some tumors, such as DMBA-induced mammary tumors.

Immunocytochemical localisation of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres in human labial glands

Different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, neuropeptide Y) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive nerve fibers were investigated to clarify their role in the function of human labial glands using immunohisto- and immunocytochemical techniques. The distribution pattern of all immunoreactive nerve fibers was similar both in the control and in the Sjögren's syndrome specimens. A large number of thin varicose vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and NO) positive nerve fibers were seen around or in close contact with the acini. Some of the immunoreactive nerve fibers were associated with the salivary ducts and blood vessels. Substance P and neuropeptide Y immunoreactive nerve fibers were located mainly around the blood vessels. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that some of the positive nerve fibers were in direct contact with the acini, blood vessels and with the lymphocytes. The gap between the membranes of immunoreactive nerve terminals and the target cells was 40 to 200 rum. The number of the nerve terminals in Sjögren's syndrome specimens was decreased and some degenerated axons were also found. These results suggest that these neuropeptides and nitric oxide might act as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of secretion and blood flow in the labial glands. These fibers might also alter the neuroimmunological processes, because the investigated neuropeptides are known to be immunoregulators.

Immunocytochemical localisation of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres in human labial glands

Different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, neuropeptide Y) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive nerve fibers were investigated to clarify their role in the function of human labial glands using immunohisto- and immunocytochemical techniques. The distribution pattern of all immunoreactive nerve fibers was similar both in the control and in the Sjögren's syndrome specimens. A large number of thin varicose vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and NOS positive nerve fibers were seen around or in close contact with the acini. Some of the immunoreactive nerve fibers were associated with the salivary ducts and blood vessels. Substance P and neuropeptide Y immunoreactive nerve fibers were located mainly around the blood vessels. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that some of the positive nerve fibers were in direct contact with the acini, blood vessels and with the lymphocytes. The gap between the membranes of immunoreactive nerve terminals and the target cells was 40 to 200 nm. The number of the nerve terminals in Sjögren's syndrome specimens was decreased and some degenerated axons were also found. These results suggest that these neuropeptides and nitric oxide might act as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of secretion and blood flow in the labial glands. These fibers might also alter the neuroimmunological processes, because the investigated neuropeptides are known to be immunoregulators.

Distribution of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers in the salamander taste organs.

Salamander taste organs were recognized as oval cell clusters within the dorsal surface of the tongue. A moderate number of SP, CGRP, VIP, NPY, and GAL immunoreactive nerve fibers terminated in the cell clusters, and some of them penetrated into the basal half of the cell clusters. Around the glands, VIP, NPY, and GAL fibers were numerous, and SP and CGRP fibers were less numerous. Immunoreactivity of SOM and FMRF was not detected either in the nerve fibers associated with the cell clusters or those around the glands. These findings suggest that the chemosensory mechanisms of the salamander gustatory organs are under the control of peptidergic innervation. In addition, the present study indicates that the caudate taste organs are structurally primitive but functionally mature.

Neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres in the human parotid gland: a semiquantitative analysis using an antibody against protein gene product 9.5.

The occurrence and distribution of neuropeptide-containing fibres in the human parotid gland were examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method with attention to the quality of fixation and the condition of patients. Many fibres immunoreactive for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and a moderate number of galanin-positive (GAL) fibres were distributed around the acini. A moderate number of NPY and VIP fibres were distributed around the intercalated ducts. The semiquantitative mean densities (+/- SD) of periacinar NPY, VIP and GAL fibres expressed as a percentage of the total protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 immunoreactive fibres were 75.62 +/- 7.25%, 70.52 +/- 9.33% and 41.76 +/- 5.45%, respectively, whereas those of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and FMRF amide (FMRF) fibres were below 10%. The mean densities of NPY and VIP fibres around the intercalated ducts expressed as the percentage of PGP 9.5 fibres associated with these ducts were 52.37 +/- 6.19% and 59.62 +/- 7.02% respectively. Those of SP, CGRP, GAL, and FMRF fibres were below 10%. The densities of NPY, VIP, SP, CGRP, GAL and FMRF fibres around the striated and excretory ducts were also below 10%. In the vasculature, NPY fibres were the most prominent. Similarly, the mean density of perivascular NPY fibres was 93.76 +/- 2.03%. No somatostatin or leucine or methionine enkephalin immunoreactivity was detected around the acini, duct system or blood vessels. These findings suggest that, in this gland, the periacinar NPY, VIP and GAL fibres may participate in regulating the synthesis of saliva and its secretion and that perivascular peptidergic fibres, especially NPY fibres, may be involved in controlling local blood flow.

Nitrinergic and peptidergic innervations and their inter-relationships in human colon

The distribution and colocalization of nitrinergic and peptidergic nerves were examined in six human colons. The tissues were fixed, cryosectioned, and standard immunohistochemistry was performed for several known neuropeptides. The same sections were stained for NADPH-diaphorase to denote nitric oxide synthase. NADPH-diaphorase-positive myenteric neurons were counted and colocalization noted for each peptide, as well as for peptide terminations. Galanin was the only neuropeptide that colocalized to a significant extent (23.0 +/- 7.21%) with NADPH-diaphorase-positive myenteric neurons. Many neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers had extensive terminations onto NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons. Vasoactive intestinal peptide was the only neuropeptide that colocalized with NADPH-diaphorase to any extent in nerve fibers within circular muscle (59.5 +/- 9.3%). Fiber distribution in the longitudinal muscles showed a similar, but less dense pattern. These observations provide morphological evidence for the presence of nitric oxide, a candidate nonadrenergic noncholinergic neurotransmitter in the human colon.

The development of noradrenaline-, acetylcholinesterase-, neuropeptide Y- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing nerves in human cerebral arteries

The development of cerebrovascular nerves containing noradrenaline (NA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the basilar artery was histochemically or immunohistochemically studied in human fetuses of various gestational ages. At the 12th week of gestation, nerve fibers containing NA and AChE appeared. Both types of nerve fibers consisted exclusively of the longitudinal nerve fibers (LNF) running along the basilar arteries. Subsequently, the circular nerve fibers (CNF) gradually increased and such development was then completed by the 20th week of gestation. NPY- and VIP-containing nerve fibers were detected in human fetal cerebral arteries in the 16th week of gestation, in the form of LNF. Subsequently, CNF gradually increased and development was completed by the 24th week of gestation. These results indicate that neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers, together with NA- and AChE-containing nerves, therefore contribute to the control of cerebral circulation in the later stages of embryogenesis in human cerebral arteries.

Neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers in the pharynx of the rabbit

The distribution of peptide-containing nerve fibers in the pharyngeal region of rabbits was studied by immunocytochemistry. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing fibers were numerous around blood vessels and moderate in number among bundles of striated muscle fibers. A few NPY-containing fibers were seen around seromucous glands and beneath the epithelium. Nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were numerous around seromucous glands and moderate in number around blood vessels, bundles of muscle, and in the subepithelial layer. A few nerve fibers containing substance P (SP) were seen around blood vessels, seromucous glands, among bundles of muscle, and in the subepithelial layer. Nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were numerous. They were distributed close to blood vessels, among bundles of muscle, in the subepithelial layer, and within the epithelium. A conspicuous finding was the occurrence of CGRP within motor end plates of striated muscle.

Responses of rat isolated intestinal segments to stimulation of perivascular mesenteric nerve fibres

1. Isolated preparations of segments of rat jejunum were set up for isotonic recording of the activity of the longitudinal smooth muscle and the extrinsic nerve supply running with the mesenteric blood vessels was stimulated for 30-s periods at 0.5-20 Hz. 2. Contractions were regularly elicited during periods of stimulation at 0.5-2 Hz, and were usually elicited during stimulation at 5 Hz, but relaxations were usually elicited during stimulation at 10 and 20 Hz. On cessation of the period of stimulation, a secondary contraction occurred in most preparations regardless of whether the primary response during the period of stimulation had been a contraction or a relaxation. 3. Tetrodotoxin (0.9 microM) abolished responses during periods of stimulation and the secondary contraction. 4. The relaxations were mimicked by noradrenaline and were abolished by blockade of alpha- plus beta-adrenoceptors but were not affected by hexamethonium, indicating that they are attributable to stimulation of postganglionic noradrenergic fibres. 5. The contractions were mimicked by acetylcholine and were abolished by atropine and hexamethonium, suggesting that they are attributable to stimulation of preganglionic cholinergic nerves: they were also abolished in the presence of capsaicin, indicating that sensory neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres may be involved. 6. The secondary contraction that usually occurred on cessation of stimulation was still present after blockade by atropine or capsaicin of the contractions occurring during stimulation. It was also present after blockade by propranolol and phentolamine of the relaxations occurring during stimulation, and was not affected by indomethacin.

ヒト口蓋へん桃の神経分布 免疫組織化学的検討

The distribution of Catecholamine- and neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers was examined immunohistochemically in the human palatine tonsil. Frozen sections of immersion-fixed palatine tonsils were immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).Fine nerve fibers with a varicose profile which contained distinct immunoreactivity to each marker substance were found localized to the tonsillar hilus, connective tissue, septum and/or blood vessel wall in the interstitial spaces. In the germinal center and the extranodular lymphatic tissue of the tonsil, TH-, VIP-, NPY- and SOM-immunoreactive nerves were seen to travel for a short distance over lymphocytes. VIP-immunoreactive fibers were also distributed densely around the glandular mucous cells situated adjacent to the tonsil. In regard to the chemical innervation of other lymphatic tissues reported previously, both autonomic inflow systems and peripheral afferents were found to contribute directly to the neuro-immune communications in the lymphatic areas and the interstitium of the palatine tonsil.