NEUROPEPTIDES IN THE HUMAN NASAL-MUCOSA

In the present study, a dense network of peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the human nasal mucosa is reported. The occurrence, distribu tion and concentrations of regulatory peptide immunoreactivities in hu man nasal mucosa were studied using highly efficient immunocytochemica l and radioimmunological methods. Stefanini/Zamboni-fixed cryostat and paraffin thick sections, and Epon semithin and ultrathin sections wer e immunostained using multiple immunofluorescence, immunogold-silver s taining (IGSS) and streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) techni ques. The tissue concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide ( VIP), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CG RP), substance P (SP) and neurokinin A were measured using radioimmuno assay. In the tissues investigated, VIP and other derivatives from the VIP-precursor (peptide histidine methionine = PHM) prepro VIP (111 - 122), as well as NPY and its C-flanking peptide (C-PON), CGRP, SP, neu rokinin A. bombesin-flanking peptide and somatostatin were detected. T he regulatory peptides demonstrated also included the recently isolate d peptides helospectin and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating pept ide (PACAP). Scattered endocrine-like cells were demonstrated within t he respiratory epithelium and the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa, and in groups within ducts. The peptide immunoreactive demonstrated in a dense network of neuronal structure and endocrine cells give indica tion for the presence of a complex regulatory system with potent physi ological mechanisms in the upper respiratory system and allocated tiss ues of man.