Co-localization of neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and dynorphin in non-noradrenergic axons of the guinea pig uterine artery.
Two major populations of perivascular axons containing immunoreactivity to neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been revealed in the main uterine artery of the guinea pig by immunohistochemical procedures which allow the simultaneous visualization of two antigens. One population contained immunoreactivity to dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) and was presumably noradrenergic. The other main population of axons with NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) did not have D beta H-like immunoreactivity (D beta H-LI) and was presumably non-noradrenergic. These non-noradrenergic axons also contained immunoreactivity to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and dynorphin (DYN). Indeed, nearly all axons with VIP-LI also contained NPY-LI and DYN-like immunoreactivity (DYN-LI). NPY constricted the uterine artery perfused in vitro, whilst VIP dilated uterine arteries preconstricted with noradrenaline or NPY. Thus, we have evidence for the coexistence of a vasoconstrictor peptide and a vasodilator peptide in the same non-noradrenergic perivascular axons, which also contain an opioid peptide, dynorphin.
Morris
J L
JL
Gibbins
I L
IL
Furness
J B
JB
Costa
M
M
Murphy
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000294:innervation; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007120:Immunochemistry; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D004399:Dynorphins