Protein gene product 9.5 expression in the lungs of humans and other mammals. Immunocytochemical detection in neuroepithelial bodies, neuroendocrine cells and nerves.

Immunoreactive protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry in the innervation of human, monkey, pig, rabbit, rat, mouse and hamster lung. In most species PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was furthermore obvious in the cytoplasm of the neuroepithelial bodies and neuroendocrine cells of the respiratory epithelium. Both a polyclonal and a monoclonal antibody to PGP 9.5 were applied and their characteristics compared. In several species, PGP 9.5 appears to be a useful histological marker for both the innervation and the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES)-type cells in the respiratory mucosa and might be added to the growing list of the pan-neuroendocrine markers.