Immunohistochemical profile of human pancreatic pacinian corpuscles.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the immunohistochemical profile of the human pancreatic pacinian corpuscles in comparison with that of the cutaneous pacinian corpuscles. In addition, we studied a Pacinilike corpuscle found in the adventitia of a pancreatic artery.


METHODS
We used immunohistochemistry to detect specific antigens for corpuscular constituents, specific antibodies for the identification of Adelta- and C-sensory fibers and for the detection of several growth factor receptors, and some members of the degenerin/epithelial Na channel superfamily of proteins.


RESULTS
Approximately 62% of pancreatic pacinian corpuscles have 2 to 10 axonic profiles each enclosed by its own inner core: 1 or 2 of these axonic profiles displayed RT-97 immunoreactivity (specific marker of mechanical axons). The cutaneous pacinian corpuscles showed not more than 2 axonic profiles with identical immunohistochemical characteristics. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and tyrosine receptor kinase B was different between pancreatic and cutaneous pacinian corpuscles; the pattern of distribution of degenerin/epithelial Na channel proteins was identical in both cases. The arterial Pacinilike corpuscles displayed a specific immunohistochemical profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic pacinian corpuscles slightly differ from the cutaneous ones, and these differences could be related to topography, growth factor requirements, or function of pacinian corpuscles in the pancreas.
García-Suárez
Olivia
O
From the *Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
Calavia
Marta G
MG
Pérez-Moltó
Francisco J
FJ
Alvarez-Abad
Covadonga
C
Pérez-Piñera
Pablo
P
Cobo
Juan M
JM
Vega
José A
JA
D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D000328:Adult; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010141:Pacinian Corpuscles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism
C568424:ASIC2 protein, human; D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D018396:Mucin-1; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D020813:Receptor, trkB