VIP-, enkephalin-, substance P- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in neurons intrinsic to the intestine: immunohistochemical evidence from organotypic tissue cultures.
Small intestine from 18-day fetal mice grown for 3 weeks in organotypic tissue culture was found to contain numerous VIP, enkephalin, substance P and some somatostatin immunoreactive nerve fibers. Since these cultures should be devoid of all afferent or other extrinsic neuronal inputs, it is concluded that there are VIP, enkephalin, substance P and somatostatin containing neurons intrinsic to the intestinal wall. However, all 4 peptides may also be present in neurons originating outside the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the intrinsic neurons.
D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D051379:Mice; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
D004723:Endorphins; D004745:Enkephalins; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin