Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the rat peripheral nervous system with reference to its coexistence with substance P.
This immunocytochemical study, using a double-staining method, showed that calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive structures are widely distributed in the peripheral nervous system and that many of them coexist with substance P-like immunoreactive structures in single sensory ganglion cells. Neurons positive for calcitonin gene-related peptide but negative for substance P were detected in sensory ganglia. These cells were large (about 30-45 micron in diameter); these primary sensory neurons containing calcitonin gene-related peptide can probably act independently of substance P. There were neurons containing calcitonin gene-related peptide without substance P in the pterygopalatine ganglion, although these cells were less numerous than in the sensory ganglia. In consecutive sections, calcitonin gene-related peptide-like structures occurred in thyroid parafollicular cells, which also contain calcitonin. This suggested that messenger RNA for producing calcitonin gene-related peptide is also present in the thyroid, and like calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide may have a peripheral physiological role.
Lee
Y
Y
Takami
K
K
Kawai
Y
Y
Girgis
S
S
Hillyard
C J
CJ
MacIntyre
I
I
Emson
P C
PC
Tohyama
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000032:analysis; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000294:innervation
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide