Enkephalin-, VIP- and substance P-like immunoreactivity in the carotid body

The carotid body type I cell contains amines 1–3 and has features, both morphological and cytochemical, which indicate that it may also produce a peptide 4–6 . Many regulatory peptides are now known to be present in both central and peripheral tissues 7 . In the periphery these neuropeptides occur i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1980-03, Vol.284 (5753), p.269-271
Main Authors: Wharton, J, Polak, J. M, Pearse, A. G. E, McGregor, G. P, Bryant, M. G, Bloom, S. R, Emson, P. C, Bisgard, G. E, Will, J. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibody Specificity
Carotid Body - metabolism
Cats
Endorphins - metabolism
Enkephalins - metabolism
Gastrointestinal Hormones - metabolism
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Radioimmunoassay
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Substance P - metabolism
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide - metabolism
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Summary:The carotid body type I cell contains amines 1–3 and has features, both morphological and cytochemical, which indicate that it may also produce a peptide 4–6 . Many regulatory peptides are now known to be present in both central and peripheral tissues 7 . In the periphery these neuropeptides occur in both classical endocrine (APUD) cells and the neurones of the autonomic nervous system 8 . We have now investigated the possible presence of neuropeptides in the cat carotid body using both immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Met- and Leu-enkephalin-like material occurred in considerable quantities in carotid body extracts and enkephalin-like immunoreactivity was localised in type I cells. Both vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and substance P-like immunoreactivity was also present but was localised in nerve fibres distributed throughout the organ. These active neuropeptides are widely distributed in mammalian tissues, forming a diffuse regulatory system which now seems to include the carotid body.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/284269a0