Participation of the autonomic nervous system and neuropeptides in hepatic and pulmonary tumors from the viewpoint of MALT lymphoma formation

Abstract

The present study was designed to clarify the characteristics of hepatic and pulmonary MALT lymphoma and substance P by investigating the participation of the autonomic nervous system and neuropeptides in hepatic and pulmonary tumors. We detected hepatic and pulmonary MALT lymphomas after long term Helicobacter infection. In situ hybridization study revealed the positive reaction of Helicobacter heilmannii in the hepatic and pulmonary MALT lymphomas. Substance P immunoreactivity was clearly shown in the lymphoma cells in the liver and lung, and intraperitoneal administration of spantide II, a substance P analogue, induced a marked decrease in the size of the tumors.