Alterations in receptors for sensory neuropeptides in human inflammatory bowel disease.

Glutamate and several neuropeptides are synthesized and released by subpopulations of primary afferent neurons. These sensory neurons play a role in regulating the inflammatory and immune responses in peripheral tissues. We have explored what changes occur in the location and concentration of receptor binding sites for sensory neurotransmitters in two human inflammatory diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, using quantitative receptor autoradiography. The sensory neurotransmitter receptors included bombesin, calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha, cholecystokinin, galanin, glutamate, somatostatin, neurokinin A (substance K), substance P, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Of the nine receptor binding sites examined only binding sites for substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide were significantly altered in the inflamed tissue. These data suggest that substance P is involved in regulating the inflammatory and immune responses in human inflammatory diseases and indicate a specificity of efferent action for each sensory neurotransmitter in peripheral tissues.