ABSTRACT

T he nervous and im m une systems share im portan t inform ational molecules such as cytokines, horm ones, neuropeptides and the ir receptors. These m olecules serve as b i-d irec tiona l signals o f com m unication . They provide an im portan t link between the nervous and im m une systems. Evidence is accum ulating tha t the im m une system can produce som e neuropeptides. In the light o f these facts, there are suggestions th a t im m u n o cy te s m ig h t c o n ta in ca lc ito n in gene-re la ted p ep tid e (C G R P). H ow ever, there is no direct evidence to show w hether CG RP exists in im m unocy tes an d if so, w hich type o f im m unocytes contain CGRP. In th e p resen t study, we o b ta in ed d irec t ev id en ce to p ro v e th a t T ly m p h o c y te s synthesize and release CGRP, a neuropep ­ tid e lo ca lized w ith in p r im a ry se n so ry nerves.