02167nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001500055653003600070653001100106653001200117653001200129653001900141653001800160653002200178653000900200653001600209653003400225100001600259700001800275700001200293700001100305700001200316700001500328700001400343245011100357300001000468490000800478050001700486520130000503022001401803       1989                            d  c1989 Jan10aCalcitonin10aCalcitonin Gene-Related Peptide10aHumans10aleprosy10aNeurons10aNeuropeptide Y10aNeuropeptides10aPeptide Fragments10aSkin10aSubstance P10aVasoactive Intestinal Peptide1 aKaranth S S1 aSpringall D R1 aLucas S1 aLevy D1 aAshby P1 aLevene M M1 aPolak J M00aChanges in nerves and neuropeptides in skin from 100 leprosy patients investigated by immunocytochemistry.  a15-260 v157  aKARANTH 19893 a<p>The cutaneous innervation is now known to contain neuropeptides including substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in sensory nerves, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), principally in autonomic nerves. Skin biopsies from 100 leprosy patients and equivalent areas from 50 non-leprosy controls were fixed in p-benzoquinone solution for immunofluorescence staining and in Bouin's fluid for classification of leprosy type. Antisera to the neural markers, neurofilaments, and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), and to neuropeptides were used. Cutaneous nerves and nerve endings immunoreactive for neuropeptides, neurofilaments, and PGP 9.5 were seen in all non-leprous control cases. In leprosy, PGP 9.5- and neurofilament-immunoreactive nerve fibres were seen in all 14 cases of the indeterminate (early) type and in the majority (33/43) of lepromatous cases, but in a smaller proportion (15/43) of tuberculoid cases. Neuropeptide immunoreactivity was seen in only 2/14 of the indeterminate leprosy specimens and was completely absent in other types. This early disappearance may be of diagnostic significance. Thus, cutaneous sensory and autonomic dysfunctions in leprosy are well reflected by changes in nerve fibres and neuropeptides.</p>  a0022-3417