IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF CALCIUM-BINDING PROTEINS IN THE HUMAN CUTANEOUS SENSORY CORPUSCLES

The localization of the calcium-binding proteins (CaBP) calbindin-D-28 k (CB), parvalbumin (PV) and S-100 protein (S100P) in the human cutane ous sensory corpuscles was studied by immunohistochemical procedure us ing monoclonal antibodies. Occurrence of CB, PV and S100P immunoreacti vity (IR) was observed in the lamellar cells of Meissner's corpuscles. In the pacinian corpuscles, S100P IR was restricted to the inner-core cells whereas CB and PV IR were found labelling the axon, inner core, outer core and capsule. At the light-microscope level of resolution, the presence of IR in the axon of Meissner's corpuscles cannot be ensu red. Since calcium ions (Ca2+) seem to participate in the mechanorecep tor electrogenesis, present results suggest that CaBP could be involve d in buffering and/or transport of Ca2+ within the specialized cells s urrounding the axon tips of sensory corpuscles, thus, maintaining the periaxonal microenvironment.