Distribution of nerve growth factor, pro-nerve growth factor, and their receptors in human salivary glands.

Elsebeth P Naesse, Olav Schreurs, Edward Messelt, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Karl Schenck

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

European journal of oral sciences 2013 Feb

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Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a pluripotent mediator that is present in a range of human tissues. Nerve growth factor was originally considered important only in neuronal homeostasis and pathophysiology, but later it was also implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammation, epithelial differentiation, and wound healing. In this study, the distribution of nerve growth factor beta (NGF-β) and pro-NGF, and their receptors - tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) and p75(NTR) - was examined in human parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and labial salivary glands by immunohistochemistry. Intercalated, striated, and collecting-ducts in all gland types showed strong staining for pro-NGF but only weak cytoplasmic or sparse nuclear staining for NGF-β. Tyrosine kinase A was strongly expressed in the ducts of all gland types, whereas p75(NTR) expression was mainly confined to collecting ducts. In acini, no or only weak cytoplasmic staining was found for all markers, and some nuclei stained positive for NGF-β, pro-NGF, and TrkA. Western blotting of saliva showed secretion of several forms of pro-NGF, while no mature NGF-β was detected. Salivary pro-NGF may play a role in oral wound healing. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci.

Citation

Elsebeth P Naesse, Olav Schreurs, Edward Messelt, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Karl Schenck. Distribution of nerve growth factor, pro-nerve growth factor, and their receptors in human salivary glands. European journal of oral sciences. 2013 Feb;121(1):13-20