Coexpression of vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P immunoreactivity in parasympathetic neurons of the rhesus monkey lung.
By the use of light microscopic immunohistochemistry, the present study investigates whether substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which are well documented neurotransmitter candidates in primary sensory fibers, are also expressed in parasympathetic neurons of the rhesus monkey lung. A combination of double fluorescence immunohistochemistry and staining of adjacent sections revealed triple coexistence of SP, CGRP and the cholinergic co-transmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in a large number of neuronal cell bodies in intrinsic peribronchial ganglia. In addition, there was co-localization of SP and CGRP in choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT)-positive neurons. These data suggest that SP and CGRP, in addition to their sensory role, are cholinergic cotransmitter candidates in the postganglionic parasympathetic innervation of primate lung. Co-release and co-function of SP and CGRP with VIP and acetylcholine may be important in the regulation of pulmonary physiology and in pulmonary pathophysiology.
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Department of Anatomy, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
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Weihe
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D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000294:innervation*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide