Immunocytochemical study of peptidergic structures in Brunner's glands.

Nervous and endocrine peptidergic structures in human Brunner's glands were studied by immunofluorescence. Endocrine cells storing immunoreactive components respectively similar to somatostatin 14, the amino-terminal portion (1-14) of somatostatin 28, gastrin-cholecystokinin, and peptide YY were distributed throughout the acini. Peptidergic nerve structures contained materials immunologically related to vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine methionine, substance P, neuropeptide Y, and gastrin-releasing peptide. The latter peptide was detected in discrete fibers running into the acini but within no cell body in the submucosa. All other neuropeptides were stored in fibers, isolated or grouped in bundles, and in perikarya of submucosal ganglia close to the acini. No immunoreactive structures were detected using antisera directed against pancreatic polypeptide, secretin, motilin, neurotensin, or calcitonin gene-related peptide. The results suggest that several regulatory peptides may be involved in the control of Brunner's glands in humans.