Brain, Vol. 110, No. 6, 1647-1655, 1987
© 1987 Guarantors of Brain
research-article |
THE PRESENCE OF CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE IN HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
From the Endocrine Unit, Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School London
Correspondence to:
DR S.J. Wimalawansa, Endocrine Unit, Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Du Cane Road, London, W12OHs, UK.
This study demonstrates the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay, together with gel-permeation and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The median immunoreactive CGRP (i-CGRP) level from 158 CSF specimens was 8.0pmol/l, as measured with an antiserum recognizing the whole molecule of CGRP (CC-2/1) and 12.0 pmol/1 with an antiserum recognizing the C-terminal region of CGRP (CG-39).
CSF samples with high protein concentration (>0.6g/l) had a median level of i-CGRP of 18.4pmol/l when measured with antiserum CC-2/1 and 23.0pmol/l with CG-39, while samples with ‘normal’ protein concentrations (<0.6 g/1) had much lower values, with median levels of 7.0 and 11.0 pmol/l, with the two antisera, respectively. Gel-permeation chromatography and HPLC studies revealed multiple peaks of i-CGRP, consistent with forms with different molecular weights. However, on HPLC, the major peak of i-CGRP corresponded to the elution position of the synthetic hCGRP(1–37) and was able to bind to a CGRP specific receptor preparation suggesting that it may be biologically active.
Received January 15, 1987. Revised March 26, 1987. Accepted April 14, 1987.