Lucchini R E, Facchini F, Turato G, Saetta M, Caramori G, Ciaccia A, Maestrelli P, Springall D R, Polak J M, Fabbri L, Mapp C E
Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997 Dec;156(6):1963-8. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.156.6.96-10088.
The presence and distribution of neuropeptide-containing nerves within bronchial surgical specimens has been investigated in bronchitic (n = 12) and in nonbronchitic subjects (n = 7). Lung tissue, obtained from patients undergoing thoracotomy for limited lung lesions, was processed immediately and analyzed for nerves using the streptavidin-biotin complex peroxidase method with antisera to the neural marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and the neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the density of PGP 9.5-, SP-, or CGRP-positive nerves in both the locations assessed (smooth muscle layer and glands). The density of VIP-positive nerves was significantly higher in the glands of bronchitic than in nonbronchitic subjects. A negative relationship was found between the presence of airway inflammation, as indexed by mononuclear cell tissue infiltration, and the density of PGP 9.5-positive nerves in both smooth muscle and glands. Likewise, a relationship was found between the smoking history (packs/yr and age of onset of smoking) and the density of VIP-positive nerves in glands. These findings support a role for VIP in the hallmark of chronic bronchitis, i.e., sputum production.
研究人员对患支气管炎的受试者（n = 12）和未患支气管炎的受试者（n = 7）支气管手术标本中含神经肽神经的存在情况及分布进行了研究。从因局限性肺部病变接受开胸手术的患者获取肺组织，立即进行处理，并使用链霉亲和素-生物素复合物过氧化物酶法，采用针对神经标记蛋白基因产物9.5（PGP 9.5）以及神经肽血管活性肠肽（VIP）、P物质（SP）、降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）的抗血清对神经进行分析。在评估的两个部位（平滑肌层和腺体），两组之间PGP 9.5、SP或CGRP阳性神经的密度没有显著差异。支气管炎患者腺体中VIP阳性神经的密度显著高于未患支气管炎的受试者。以单核细胞组织浸润为指标的气道炎症的存在与平滑肌和腺体中PGP 9.5阳性神经的密度呈负相关。同样，吸烟史（每年吸烟包数和开始吸烟的年龄）与腺体中VIP阳性神经的密度之间也存在关联。这些发现支持了VIP在慢性支气管炎的标志即痰液产生中所起的作用。
