title: Distribution of nerve growth factor, pro-nerve growth factor, and their receptors in human salivary glands.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a pluripotent mediator that is present in a range of human tissues. Nerve growth factor was originally considered important only in neuronal homeostasis and pathophysiology, but later it was also implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammation, epithelial differentiation, and wound healing. In this study, the distribution of nerve growth factor beta (NGF-β) and pro-NGF, and their receptors - tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and p75(NTR)  - was examined in human parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and labial salivary glands by immunohistochemistry. Intercalated, striated, and collecting-ducts in all gland types showed strong staining for pro-NGF but only weak cytoplasmic or sparse nuclear staining for NGF-β. Tyrosine kinase A was strongly expressed in the ducts of all gland types, whereas p75(NTR)  expression was mainly confined to collecting ducts. In acini, no or only weak cytoplasmic staining was found for all markers, and some nuclei stained positive for NGF-β, pro-NGF, and TrkA. Western blotting of saliva showed secretion of several forms of pro-NGF, while no mature NGF-β was detected. Salivary pro-NGF may play a role in oral wound healing.
authors: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Elsebeth P
authors: EP
authors: Naesse
authors: Olav
authors: O
authors: Schreurs
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Messelt
authors: Katsuhiko
authors: K
authors: Hayashi
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Schenck
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C484065:NGFR protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; C061397:pro-nerve growth factor, human; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA