title: Peptide-containing nerves in labial salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Immunology, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University Medical School, New York.
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Konttinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hukkanen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kemppinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segerberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sorsa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malmström
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itescu
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Polak
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002096:C-Peptide; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide