Distribution of VIP receptors in the human submandibular gland: an immunohistochemical study

• Kusakabe, T. ^[1] ; Matsuda, H. ^[1] ; Gono, Y. ^[1] ; Kawakami, T. ^[2] ; Kurihara, K. ^[2] ; Tsukuda, M. ^[1] ; Takenaka, T. ^[1]
  1. [1] Yokohama City University

     Yokohama City University

     Naka Ku, Japón

     
  2. [2] Kitasato University

     Kitasato University

     Japón

     
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 13, Nº. 2, 1998, págs. 373-378
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers and VIPreceptor (VIP-R)-immunoreactive sites in the human submandibular gland were examined by the peroxidaseantiperoxidase method using the specimens taken from patients that had not received radiotherapy.

    VIP-immunoreactive fibers were found around both serous and mucous acini, the duct system, and those around the mucous acini were more numerous than those around the serous acini. VIP-R immunoreactivity was restricted to the mucous acini and the intercalated duct segment. The serous acini, striated duct, and excretory ducts lacked VIP-R immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that the mucous acinar cells contain VIP-R, and that VIP-R-mediated VIP action is involved in regulating synthesis of viscous saliva and its release.