Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils: An immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis

  • Authors:
    • Elena Bronzetti
    • Marco Artico
    • Elena Pompili
    • Laura M. Felici
    • Annarita Stringaro
    • Sandro Bosco
    • Giuseppe Magliulo
    • Marisa Colone
    • Giuseppe Arancia
    • Marco Vitale
    • Lorenzo Fumagalli
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 1, 2006     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.18.1.49
  • Pages: 49-58
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Abstract

Lymphoid organs are supplied by many nerve endings associated with different kinds of cells and macrophages. The role of these neuromediators on the release of locally active molecules is still unknown. Here we focused our attention on the expression of some neurotrophins (NTs), their high- and low-affinity receptors and several neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils. Light and electron microscopy immunohistochemistry showed that human tonsillar samples were positive for all analyzed neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF and NT-3) and their high-affinity receptors (TrkA, TrkB and TrkC, respectively). All of these molecules were strongly expressed in macrophages whereas, in some patients, a weaker specific staining of lymphocytes and blood vessels was also found. The low-affinity receptor for NGF (p75) was always absent in the analysed samples. RT-PCR confirmed the occurrence of specific transcripts for NTs and their high-affinity receptors as well as the absence of mRNA for p75 protein. Also, specific immunoreactivity for neurotransmitters SP, VIP, CGRP, ChAT and nNOS was mainly expressed by macrophagic cells. These results suggest the presence of an extensive network of innervation in the human palatine tonsils which may play a role in the regulation of some immune functions as well as in the modulation of a possible functional scenario of interactions among different immune cellular subtypes.

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July 2006
Volume 18 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Bronzetti E, Artico M, Pompili E, Felici LM, Stringaro A, Bosco S, Magliulo G, Colone M, Arancia G, Vitale M, Vitale M, et al: Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils: An immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis. Int J Mol Med 18: 49-58, 2006.
APA
Bronzetti, E., Artico, M., Pompili, E., Felici, L.M., Stringaro, A., Bosco, S. ... Fumagalli, L. (2006). Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils: An immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 18, 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.18.1.49
MLA
Bronzetti, E., Artico, M., Pompili, E., Felici, L. M., Stringaro, A., Bosco, S., Magliulo, G., Colone, M., Arancia, G., Vitale, M., Fumagalli, L."Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils: An immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 18.1 (2006): 49-58.
Chicago
Bronzetti, E., Artico, M., Pompili, E., Felici, L. M., Stringaro, A., Bosco, S., Magliulo, G., Colone, M., Arancia, G., Vitale, M., Fumagalli, L."Neurotrophins and neurotransmitters in human palatine tonsils: An immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analysis". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 18, no. 1 (2006): 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.18.1.49