NEUROPEPTIDES IN THE LIVERS OF MICE DURING BACTERIAL-INFECTIONS

Neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal pepti de (VIP) are known to act as immunomodulators. We investigated the ind uction of SP and VIP in the livers of mice infected with Listeria mono cytogenes or injected with Tsukamurella paurometabolum. VIP was detect ed in the livers of mice after L. monocytogenes infection by an immuno histochemical technique and prepro VIP mRNA, which was detected by rev erse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was induced post i nfection. However, no SP was detected. In contrast, SP, but not VIP wa s detected within granulomas in the livers of T. paurometabolum-inject ed mice, suggesting VIP and SP might be selectively induced in the liv er by different bacterial infections. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.