Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and the innervation of the human lacrimal gland
P. A. Sibony, B. Walcott, C. McKeon and F. A. Jakobiec
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a biologically active
neuropeptide found in both the peripheral and the central nervous systems.
Previous studies have shown that VIP-like immunoreactive nerves are present
in the uveal tissues of the human eye. The distribution of VIP-like
immunoreactivity of the human lacrimal gland and sphenopalatine ganglion
was studied. A lacy network of VIP-like immunoreactive nerve fibers was
found in the lacrimal gland and was predominantly located along the basilar
surface of the acinar epithelium and in the interstitial connective tissue
of the gland. This pattern of innervation was nearly identical to the
distribution of cholinesterase-positive fibers in human lacrimal glands.
The VIP-like immunoreactive cell bodies were found throughout the
sphenopalatine ganglion obtained at autopsy. The distribution of VIP-like
immunoreactive nerves in the human lacrimal gland and sphenopalatine
ganglion was generally similar to that described in mammalian and avian
systems, although some differences were noted. Vasoactive intestinal
polypeptide may represent an important cotransmitter or neuromodulator for
the facial parasympathetic nerves that supply the eye and the lacrimal
gland.
