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

Authors

  • Tatsumi Kusakabe
  • H. Matsuda
  • Y. Gono
  • T. Tawakami
  • K. Kurihara
  • M. Tsukuda
  • T. Takenaka

Keywords:

submandibular gland, VIP, VIP receptor, immunohistochemistry, humans

Abstract

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.

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