title: Helospectin-like immunoreactivity in the esophagus.
abstract: Helospectin I and II are two non-amidated, VIP-like peptides, isolated from the salivary gland venom of the lizard Heloderma horridum. The lower esophagus of cat, sheep and man was analyzed for helospectin-like immunoreactivity. Immunocytochemistry revealed helospectin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the muscle layers, submucosa and mucosa of all species studied. In myenteric ganglia helospectin-immunoreactive nerve fibers and nerve cell bodies could be seen. Double immunostaining for helospectin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) revealed their coexistence in nerve fibers and cell bodies throughout the lower esophagus of all species tested. Double immunostaining for helospectin and neuropeptide Y revealed their coexistence in nerve fibres surrounding vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle. In the cat and sheep (but not in man) a subpopulation of the helospectin/VIP-containing fibers stored, in addition, substance P. The helospectin-immunoreactive material in the esophagus probably constitutes a novel neuropeptide. The distribution of the VIP/helospectin-immunoreactive neurons and fibers indicates their possible involvement in the regulation of motor and secretory activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uddman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sundler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012756:Sheep; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; C043046:helospectin I; C043047:helospectin II