Selective localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P in human eosinophils.
Extracts of purified human eosinophils had a mean concentration of 72 fmol of immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide and 21 fmol of substance P per 10(7) eosinophils, that were significantly higher than the content of immunoreactivity of the same neuropeptides in neutrophils, mononuclear leukocytes, and platelets. In contrast, the lower concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide and somatostatin were similar in extracts of all leukocytes. Chromatography of the peptides from eosinophils confirmed their identity with vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P from neuroendocrine sources. Stores of some neuropeptides may endow eosinophils with unique roles in host defense and hypersensitivity reactions.
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000097:blood*
D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide