Peptide-containing nerves in labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The presence and spatial distribution of peptide-containing nerves in labial salivary glands from 10 Sjögren's syndrome patients were compared with those in salivary glands from 7 healthy controls.


METHODS
Immunoperoxidase staining was used to demonstrate vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive (IR) fibers, postganglionic sympathetic fibers containing the C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y (CPON), and sensory fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P.


RESULTS
Acini, intralobular ducts, small arteries, and postcapillary veins were richly innervated by VIP-IR fibers, whereas CPON-, CGRP-, and substance P-IR fibers were restricted to blood vessels. Peptide-containing nerves were found surrounding, but not in the middle of, the highly inflamed mononuclear cell areas.


CONCLUSIONS
This topologic distribution suggests involvement of VIP-IR fibers in vascular, motor, and secretory components of the reflex salivary secretion, whereas the distribution and the vasoactive actions of CPON, CGRP, and substance P suggest a role in the regulation of the salivary gland circulation, and thus of transcapillary flow. Excessive release may contribute to a neurogenic inflammation. Local depletion and absence of trophic neuropeptide stimuli may contribute to acinar atrophy.
Konttinen
Y T
YT
Institute of Molecular Immunology, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University Medical School, New York.
Hukkanen
M
M
Kemppinen
P
P
Segerberg
M
M
Sorsa
T
T
Malmström
M
M
Rose
S
S
Itescu
S
S
Polak
J M
JM
D002096:C-Peptide / Q000737:chemistry; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000737:chemistry; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012016:Reference Values; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000294:innervation*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000737:chemistry; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000737:chemistry
D002096:C-Peptide; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide