Nerve growth factor receptor and neurochemical markers in human oral mucosa: an immunohistochemical study.
BACKGROUND
The innervation of the oral mucosa has so far been studied mainly by histochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Only few studies have investigated the presence of neural proteins and neurotransmitters in human gingival mucosa.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of neural structural and transmitter proteins in different areas of normal human oral mucosa.


METHODS
Indirect immunofluorescence was employed on specimens taken from different mucosal regions (gingiva, lips, gums, palate). Both structural (low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor, NGFr; protein gene product 9.5, PGP 9.5) and neuropeptide markers (substance P; calcitonin gene-related peptide; vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y) were used.


RESULTS
NGFr and PGP 9.5 intensely labelled both nerve fibres and selected epithelial cells, while neuropeptide immunoreactivity was scarcely expressed and exclusively localized in nerve fibres.


CONCLUSIONS
Similarly in the distribution pattern and neurochemistry between oral and cutaneous innervation is apparent. Expression of NGFr could be relevant to the trophism of both the oral innervation and epithelium.
Fantini
F
F
Division of Dermatology, Ospedale Civile di Venezia, Italy.
Giannetti
A
A
Benassi
L
L
Cattaneo
V
V
Magnoni
C
C
Pincelli
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008046:Lip / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010159:Palate; D010519:Periodontium / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide