Changes in neuroendocrine elements in bronchial mucosa in chronic lung disease in adults.
BACKGROUND
It is not clear whether there is any association between metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium and changes in the distribution of neuroendocrine cells. This study examined, by immunohistological techniques, the distribution of neuroendocrine cells and juxtamucoscal nerve fibres in bronchial biopsies showing metaplastic changes.


METHODS
Bronchial biopsies from 12 subjects with epithelial metaplasia associated with bronchiectasis and diffuse pulmonary fibrosis were examined by conventional light microscopy and immunohistological techniques for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP), chromogranin A and B (CAB), serotonin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), calcitonin (CT), and gastrin releasing peptide (GRP).


RESULTS
Regions of non-metaplastic epithelium contained numerous PGP and serotonin immunoreactive cells. Sub-populations of these cells displayed CAB, CGRP, CT, and GRP immunoreactivity. Metaplastic epithelium contained only a few weakly stained PGP, serotonin, CAB, GRP, CT and CGRP immunoreactive cells in six cases. Metaplastic epithelium was characterised by a high number of CAB-containing cells in six cases and in these biopsies prominent PGP-containing nerve bundles were seen in the subepithelial layer beneath the metaplastic epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution patterns of neuroendocrine cells and neuronal elements vary between areas of normal and metaplastic epithelium and within areas of metaplastic epithelium. Neuronal hyperplasia was associated with an increase in the number of CAB-containing cells within the metaplastic epithelium.
Pilmane
M
M
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy of Latvia.
Luts
A
A
Sundler
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D005755:Gastrins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D005755:Gastrins; D010455:Peptides; D012701:Serotonin; D013373:Substance P; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D002116:Calcitonin; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide