Increased VIP-positive nerve fibers in the mucous glands of subjects with chronic bronchitis.
The presence and distribution of neuropeptide-containing nerves within bronchial surgical specimens has been investigated in bronchitic (n = 12) and in nonbronchitic subjects (n = 7). Lung tissue, obtained from patients undergoing thoracotomy for limited lung lesions, was processed immediately and analyzed for nerves using the streptavidin-biotin complex peroxidase method with antisera to the neural marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the density of PGP 9.5-, SP-, or CGRP-positive nerves in both the locations assessed (smooth muscle layer and glands). The density of VIP-positive nerves was significantly higher in the glands of bronchitic than in nonbronchitic subjects. A negative relationship was found between the presence of airway inflammation, as indexed by mononuclear cell tissue infiltration, and the density of PGP 9.5-positive nerves in both smooth muscle and glands. Likewise, a relationship was found between the smoking history (packs/yr and age of onset of smoking) and the density of VIP-positive nerves in glands. These findings support a role for VIP in the hallmark of chronic bronchitis, i.e., sputum production.
Lucchini
R E
RE
Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
Facchini
F
F
Turato
G
G
Saetta
M
M
Caramori
G
G
Ciaccia
A
A
Maestrelli
P
P
Springall
D R
DR
Polak
J M
JM
Fabbri
L
L
Mapp
C E
CE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001980:Bronchi / Q000294:innervation; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D012907:Smoking; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide