title: Neuropeptides in cutaneous neurofibromas of von Recklinghausen's disease.
abstract: The occurrence of neuropeptides was studied in neurofibromas of von Recklinghausen's disease by indirect immunofluorescence. All non-plexiform cutaneous neurofibromas contained abundant vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, peptide histidine-isoleucine and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerves. The nerves were small and unmyelinated. Neuropeptides might be responsible for itch that occurs especially in small cutaneous neurofibromas. Neuropeptides are also suggested to act as modulators and/or trophic factors for neurofibroma growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaalasti
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suomalainen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuokkanen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rechardt
mesh_terms: D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000737:chemistry*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010451:Peptide PHI / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010451:Peptide PHI; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide