Browsing by Subject "Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide"

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    Characteristics of distribution of peptide-containing nerve fibres in the atrioventricular valves of the rat
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1995) Tsumori, T.; Domoto, T.; Yasui, Y.
    The distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, neuropeptide Y-, and calcitonin generelated peptide-irnrnunoreactive nerve fibres was investigated in the atrioventricular valves of the rat. These nerve fibres were visualized by imrnunostaining of whole-mount preparations by the avidin-biotinperoxidase cornplex method. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-irnmunoreactive nerve fibres were observed mainly in the anterior cusp of the mitral valve and, to a lesser extent, in the media1 cusp of the tricuspid valve. Numerous neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibres were found covering al1 of the cusps. Both types of peptidergic nerve fibre formed dense networks that consisted of interlacing and anastomosing nerve fibres. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-imrnunoreactive nerve fibres were seen in every cusp, but did not fom a fine network. These results provide detailed anatomical information for evaluation of the possible roles of each type of peptide-containing nerve fibre in the function of atrioventricular valves.
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    Increased migration of IgA lymphocytes to VIP nerve fibers after DSS-induced colitis
    (F. Hernández y J.F. Madrid. Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología., 2011) Ueno, Eri; Hisajima, Tatsuya; Nakano, Masato; Goris, Richard C.; Funakoshi, Kengo
    Immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes are present close to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-positive (VIP+) nerve fibers in the lamina propria of the intestinal tract, and have an important role in mucosal defense. The number of immunoglobulin A-positive (IgA+) cells close to the epithelial basement membrane and nerve fibers is increased by the administration of lipopolysaccharides, which induce IgA secretion into the intestinal lumen. The relationship between immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes and the VIP+ nerve fibers during inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, however, is not well known. The morphological relationship between immunoglobulin-positive cells and the basement membrane or the VIP+ nerve fibers in the colon was examined using double immunofluorescent labeling in an inflammatory bowel disease mouse model created by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). DSS administration induced goblet cell loss, crypt loss, intestinal epithelium deformation and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the mucosa. In the colon, the number and percentage of IgA+ lymphocytes close to the basement membrane and the VIP+ nerve fibers in the lamina propria increased after DSS administration, in parallel with the pathologic progress in the inflamed tissue. On the other hand, the percentage of immunoglobulin G-positive (IgG+) lymphocytes close to the basement membrane and the VIP+ nerve fibers decreased, although the total number of IgG+ lymphocytes in the lamina propria increased. We suggest that the immunoglobulin-producing lymphocytes and enteric nerve fibers in the colon normally have a close morphological relationship, and that this relationship is reinforced in a cell-specific manner during inflammation.
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    Neuropeptides in the seminal vesicles, locations, binding sites and functional implications
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1997) Pinho, M.S.; Afonso, F.; Rodriguez, G.; Gulbenkian, S.; Mata, L.R.
    The importance of neurona1 factors in the normal physiology of the seminal vesicles has been traditionally underestimated when compared to the trophic role of androgens. Immunohistochemical, autoradiographical and pharmacological experiments have, however, raised the possibility that neuropeptides, such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), are necessary for full seminal vesicle function and development. These neuropeptides may be involved in the regulation of secretion, smooth muscle tone and blood flow. Furthermore, neuropeptides may have functional interactions with androgens affecting, probably, androgen receptordependent gene expression in these glands. It is now timely to focus attention on the biological relevance of neuropeptides in the seminal vesicles.