AUTONOMIC AND PEPTIDERGIC INNERVATION OF HUMAN NASAL-MUCOSA

The localization and distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine methionine (PHM), the novel peptide helospec tin, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and its C-flanking peptide (C-PON), s ubstance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were studied in the middle and inferior turbinate of the human nose using sensitive im munocytochemical and radioimmunological methods. For light microscopy, double immunofluorescence and immunogold-silver staining methods were applied. Ultrastructural immunelectronmicroscopy was performed using a pre-embedding method. In addition, semithin Epon resin sections were immunostained. The concentrations of VIP, NPY, CGRP, substance P and neurokinin A were measured using radioimmunological methods. A dense n etwork of autonomic and peptidergic nerve fibers in the normal human n asal mucosa was demonstrated. Colocalization studies showed the coexis tence of peptides with components of the autonomic nervous system. Sca ttered chromogranin A-, CGRP and bombesin-flanking peptide (BFP)-immun oreactive endocrine-like cells were detected within the lamina propria and in groups within exocrine ducts. Highest radioimmunoassay (RIA) t issue concentrations were detected for VIP, followed by NPY, substance P, CGRP and neurokinin A.