Hukkanen M, Konttinen Y T, Rees R G, Santavirta S, Terenghi G, Polak J M
Department of Histochemistry, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, UK.
Int J Tissue React. 1992;14(1):1-10.
The nervous system collects information from the outer world by specific senses and from the interior milieu by somatic senses. This information is processed and stored in memory and affects various bodily functions through the efferent arm of the nervous system. The efferent chemical neuropeptide message is transported intra-axonally to the site of action, which imparts site-specificity to the peripheral, paracrine neuropeptide effects. In the present study, immunohistochemistry using the immunoperoxidase method with nickel amplification was applied to visualize the topographical distribution of articular nerve fibres and nerve endings using the markers PGP 9.5 and synaptophysin, respectively. Furthermore, to get a comprehensive idea of the sensory innervation of the articular and para-articular tissue, antisera to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P were employed. Samples were collected after fixation by perfusion followed by immersion in fixative and decalcification by a special method, which also allows studies of the bone innervation. PGP 9.5- and synaptophysin-immunoreactive type IVa and IVb nerve fibres and endings were found in the synovial lining and sublining tissue and in the vascularized peripheral parts of the menisci. Furthermore, periosteum, bone marrow and the epiphyseal growth plates were also innervated, whereas innervation of the diaphyseal and metaphyseal bone was more sparse. PGP 9.5- and synaptophysin-immunoreactive nerves were also characterized by their CRGP, and to some extent, substance P content. Because of their distribution, the peripheral peptide-containing type IVa and IVb nerve fibres and nerve endings are in a position to participate in the pathogenesis of arthritis, including aspects of nociception, tissue remodelling and neurogenic inflammation.
神经系统通过特定感觉从外部世界收集信息，并通过躯体感觉从内部环境收集信息。这些信息经过处理并存储在记忆中，然后通过神经系统的传出分支影响身体的各种功能。传出化学神经肽信息通过轴突内运输到作用部位，这赋予了外周旁分泌神经肽效应的位点特异性。在本研究中，采用免疫过氧化物酶法结合镍放大的免疫组织化学方法，分别使用标记物PGP 9.5和突触素可视化关节神经纤维和神经末梢的拓扑分布。此外，为了全面了解关节和关节周围组织的感觉神经支配情况，使用了降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）和P物质的抗血清。样本在灌注固定后收集，然后浸入固定剂中，并通过一种特殊方法进行脱钙，该方法也允许对骨神经支配进行研究。在滑膜衬里和衬里下层组织以及半月板的血管化外周部分发现了PGP 9.5和突触素免疫反应性IVa和IVb型神经纤维和神经末梢。此外，骨膜、骨髓和骨骺生长板也有神经支配，而骨干和干骺端骨的神经支配则较为稀疏。PGP 9.5和突触素免疫反应性神经还以其CGRP以及在一定程度上的P物质含量为特征。由于其分布，外周含肽的IVa和IVb型神经纤维和神经末梢能够参与关节炎的发病机制，包括伤害感受、组织重塑和神经源性炎症等方面。
