The neuroimmune link in the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) of cat and rat: peptides and neural markers.

This light microscopic immunohistochemical study investigates the distribution and target interrelations of nerve fibers in bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (BALT) of rat and cat by using antisera against (1) the polyneuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), (2) selected opioid and nonopioid peptides, and (3) the marker enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). In both species, a similar distribution pattern of PGP, peptide, and catecholamine enzyme immunoreactive was observed. Anti-PGP 9.5 stained all nerve fibers (except some smaller, calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (CGRP-ir) fibers presumably of the C-type) throughout the differen…