Significance of Cholinergic and Peptidergic Nerves in Stress-Induced Ulcer and MALT Lymphoma Formation

Backgound: The role of enteric nerves has previously been demonstrated in the formation of several gastric diseases. In the present review, the significance of the cholinergic nerves in stress-induced ulcer formation as well as the importance of substance P in the formation of gastric MALT lymphoma is discussed. Methods: The stress-induced ulcer was induced by the plaster bandage methods in rats. The gastric MALT lymphoma was formed by the peroral infection of gastric mucosal homogenate of the infected mouse in C57BL/6 mice. For the stress-induced ulcer, the distribution of the cholinergic nerves and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was investigated by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and autoradiography of water soluble compounds using 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate was performed. To the MALT lymphoma study, the distribution of the substance P and effect of substance P antagonist, spantide II, was investigated by immunohistochemical studies. Results: The stress induced ulcer formation was shown to be related to the hyperactivity of the cholinergic nerves. The gastric MALT lymphoma was shown to be related to the increased localization of substance P. Conclusion:Stress-induced ulceration as a model of hyperactivity of the cholinergic nerves was proved to be a useful approach, while substance P and its role in MALT lymphoma formation may serve as a tool to clarify the neuroimmune modulation of chronic infectious diseases.