CART-peptide immunoreactivity in enteric nerves in patients with Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract

AIMS:

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART)-peptide is found in the brain and participates in the control of feeding behavior. It is also expressed in the peripheral nervous system and is suggested to have neuromodulatory and/or neurotrophic effects in rat intestine. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of CART-peptide in the normal ganglionic as well as aganglionic intestine from patients with Hirschsprung's disease and the peptide's possible coexistence with other neurotransmitters.

METHODS:

Intestinal specimens from nine patients with Hirschsprung's disease were examined using immunohistochemistry. A double immunostaining technique was used in order to elucidate the presence of CART-peptide in NOS and VIP-containing enteric neurons.

RESULTS:

In ganglionic intestine, CART-peptide was found in numerous nerve fibers, predominantly within the smooth muscle layers and in myenteric nerve cell bodies. A high degree of co-localization of CART with NOS and VIP was seen. Only very few CART immunoreactive nerve fibers and no nerve cell bodies were found in the aganglionic intestine.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first report on the presence of CART-peptide in the human intestine. In the ganglionic intestine CART was detected mainly in myenteric neurons, while only very few CART-IR nerve fibers were found in the aganglionic intestine. This, together with the coexistence of CART with NOS and VIP, indicates an intrinsic origin of the CART-containing neurons and suggests that CART may influence NO and VIP-induced effects.

• Authors: A Gunnarsdóttir, N Wierup, L T Larsson, M J Kuhar, E Ekblad
• Journal: European journal of pediatric surgery : official journal of Austrian Association of Pediatric Surgery ... [et al] = Zeitschrift fur Kinderchirurgie (Eur J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 184-9 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0939-7248 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17638157 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
• Biomarkers
• Immunoglobulin G
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Neurotransmitter Agents
• cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript protein
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
• Nitric Oxide Synthase

Topics

• Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic (analysis)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Child, Preschool
• Colon (innervation)
• Enteric Nervous System (metabolism)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hirschsprung Disease (metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Infant
• Male
• Muscle, Smooth (innervation, metabolism, pathology)
• Nerve Fibers (metabolism, pathology)
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (immunology, metabolism)
• Neurotransmitter Agents
• Nitric Oxide Synthase (metabolism)
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (metabolism)