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Developmental changes in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in the human paravertebral ganglia
V Roudenok1, W Kühnel, Y Rogov
1Department of Human Anatomy, Minsk State Medical Institute, Belarus.
Summary
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is present in human stellate ganglia neurons, with its immunoreactivity significantly decreasing with age from neonates to adults. This suggests VIP
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a widely distributed neuropeptide in the nervous system.
- Its developmental expression in human postganglionic sympathetic neurons remains largely uncharacterized.
- The stellate ganglion is a key component of the sympathetic nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in VIP-like immunoreactivity (VIP-IR) within human stellate ganglia.
- To map the distribution of VIP-IR in neurons and nerve fibers across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical localization of VIP-IR in human stellate ganglia.
- Analysis of samples from neonates, children, and adults.
Main Results:
- Neonatal stellate ganglia showed a marked population of VIP-immunoreactive neurons, varying in size and distribution.
- VIP-IR in ganglionic neurons decreased notably in children.
- VIP-immunoreactive neurons were rare in adult stellate ganglia, with only VIP-positive nerve fiber varicosities observed.
Conclusions:
- Human stellate ganglia exhibit an age-dependent reduction in VIP-like immunoreactivity.
- The role of VIP in sympathetic ganglia function likely changes with age.