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Secretoneurin: A new peptide in the human enteric nervous system

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Abstract

Secretoneurin is a functional neuropeptide derived from secretogranin II (chromogranin C). This proprotein is processed to varying degrees in neuroendocrine tissues. In the present study we established by gel filtration high performance liquid chromatography that in human intestinal wall and mucosa an antiserum against secretoneurin detects as the major immunoreactive moiety the free peptide secretoneurin. In the mucosa some larger immunoreactive peptides were also present, however, a significant amount of the intact proprotein secretogranin II could not be detected. By immunohistochemistry we studied the distribution of secretoneurin within the gut. Antibodies to protein gene product 9.5 and chromogranin A were used to identify all neurons and endocrine cells, respectively, whilst those to the peptides substance P. CGRP and somatostatin were used for the further characterization of individual secretoneurin-positive structures. Secretoneurin immunoreactivity was found in nerve fibres in all layers of the gut wall. In both myenteric and submucous plexuses, nerve fibres and the majority of ganglion cells were secretoneurin-immunoreactive. In the mucosa, some secretoneurin-positive nerve processes ran parallel to the basal membrane of epithelial cells, occasionally invading the epithelial layer. Secretoneurin immunoreactivity was found in endocrine cells, mostly D cells, in the following regions in descending order of density: stomach/duodenum; rectum; colon; ileum. Thus, secretoneurin is a new major peptide within the human enteric neuroendocrine system. Its presence in abundant myenteric ganglion cells may imply a role in the modulation of gastrointestinal motility. The chemotactic properties of secretoneurin and its possible localization in sensory fibres suggest that this peptide may be involved in the genesis of intestinal inflammation.

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Author notes

  1. Guido Schürmann

    Present address: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University, Kirschnerstrasse 1, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histochemistry, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK

    Guido Schürmann, Anne E. Bishop, Paul Facer & Julia M. Polak

  2. Department of Pharmacology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    U. Eder, Reiner Fischer-Colbrie & Hans Winkler

  3. Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Hans Winkler

Authors
  1. Guido Schürmann
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  2. Anne E. Bishop
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  3. Paul Facer
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  4. U. Eder
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  5. Reiner Fischer-Colbrie
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  6. Hans Winkler
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  7. Julia M. Polak
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Schürmann, G., Bishop, A.E., Facer, P. et al. Secretoneurin: A new peptide in the human enteric nervous system. Histochem Cell Biol 104, 11–19 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01464781

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