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Distribution of the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor type 1 in the human stomach

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Abstract

Vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) is expressed in a capsaicin-sensitive and peptide-containing sub-population of primary sensory nerves that in the rat stomach seems involved in regulation of chlorhydropeptic secretion and gastroprotection. Our aim was to identify which cell types express TRPV1 in the human stomach in order to gain a better insight in the role of this receptor in the regulation of HCl secretion. Immunohistochemistry, by using three different commercially available anti-capsaicin antibodies, in situ hybridisation and Western blot analysis were performed on fragments surgically obtained from the gastric body on the large curvature. TRPV1 labelling was found in the parietal cells at the level of intra-cytoplasmatic granules matching mitochondrial features and distribution. Immunolabelled neurons and nerve fibres were also seen, the latter numerous in the submucosa and mucosa and often ending close to the parietal cells. TRPV1 presence was confirmed by Western blot analysis and in situ hybridisation. TRPV1 presence in nerve structures and parietal cells suggests the possibility of a combined effect of both neuronal and epithelial TRPV1 on chlorhydropeptic secretion. The presumed TRPV1 mitochondrial location inside parietal cells is in favour of the existence of a local pathway of auto-regulation of HCl secretion. Therefore, TRPV1 might modulate chlorhydropeptic secretion in the human stomach through more complex pathways than previously thought.

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Abbreviations

TRPV1:

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1

VR1:

Vanilloid receptor type 1

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Dr. Claudio Zardo, Mrs. Laura Calosi, Mr. Patrizio Guasti and Mr. Daniele Guasti for their excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Viale G. Pieraccini 6, Florence, 50134, Italy

    Maria-Simonetta Faussone-Pellegrini, Elisa Bizzoco & Maria Giuliana Vannucchi

  2. Department of Area Critica Medico-Chirurgica, University of Florence, Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, Florence, 50134, Italy

    Antonio Taddei & Paolo Bechi

  3. Department of Urology, Santa Chiara Firenze, Piazza Indipendenza 11, Firenze, 50129, Italy

    Massimo Lazzeri

Authors
  1. Maria-Simonetta Faussone-Pellegrini
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  2. Antonio Taddei
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  3. Elisa Bizzoco
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  4. Massimo Lazzeri
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  5. Maria Giuliana Vannucchi
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  6. Paolo Bechi
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Correspondence to Maria-Simonetta Faussone-Pellegrini.

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Faussone-Pellegrini, MS., Taddei, A., Bizzoco, E. et al. Distribution of the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor type 1 in the human stomach. Histochem Cell Biol 124, 61–68 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-005-0025-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-005-0025-9

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