Expression of Tie-2 in human peripheral and autonomic nervous system.
Tie-2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is essential for vascular integrity by regulating cellular adhesion between pericytes and endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify sites of expression of Tie-2 other than the vasculature. Tie-2 expression was first detected in human colon by Western blotting and reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in tissue extracts. The presence of the Tie-2 mRNA and protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in cells of the colon myenteric and submucosal plexus, in both neuronal and Schwann cells. Tie-2 protein was also found in the nervous system of the female urogenital tract. In the human sciatic nerve and schwannoma, RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis further confirmed the presence of Tie-2 mRNA and protein in non-autonomic peripheral nervous tissue. In conclusion, using several approaches and tissues we have demonstrated the presence of Tie-2 in human peripheral and autonomic nervous tissue, suggesting a role for Tie-2 in neural tissue. Thus, attempts to disrupt the tumour vessels by manipulation of the Tie-2 system in tumours may result in side-effects in peripheral nerves.
Poncet
S
S
University of Lausanne, Institute of Pathology, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Gasc
J-M
JM
Janzer
R C
RC
Meyer
S
S
Juillerat-Jeanneret
L
L
D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013368:Submucous Plexus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2