Immunocytochemical evidence for chromogranin A and B in neuronal elements in human gut

Chromogranins are a family of acidic proteins known to occur in the secretory granules of endocrine cells and neurons in mammals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible neuronal localisation of chromogranins in human intestine and their relationship with other neuronal constituents using one antibody recognizing both chromogranin A and B (CAB) and others recognizing only chromogranin A. Immunoreactive CAB was found to occur in mucosal endocrine cells and in neuronal elements of all layers throughout human gut. A few to large number of CAB-immunoreactive nerve fibers were seen in smooth muscles as well as in submucous and myenteric ganglia and they were regularly found around blood vessels. Occasional CAB immunoreactive nerve cell bodies could be demonstrated in both submucous and myenteric ganglia indicating a local origin of some of the immunoreactive fibers. Most of these neurons seemed to lack acetylcholine esterase, and could be classified as non-cholinergic. CAB coexisted with the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase indicating the presence of chromogranins in noradrenergic nerve fibers. The presence of CAB-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies indicates that some CAB-containing fibers are intrinsic in origin. The distribution of chromogranin A and B immunoreactive nerve fibers in all layers of the gut wall suggests multiple targets for neuronal CAB, and/or their processing products.