Neurovascular [125I]-ET-1 binding sites on human peripheral nerve.

[125I]-ET-1 binding to human peripheral nerve was studied using a combination of in vitro autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Dense binding was predominantly to ETA receptors located on smooth muscles cells of the neural microvessels and the perineurium. These results identify regions where locally-released ET-1 may affect neural vascular perfusion and play a pathophysiological role in certain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy.