Neurons of the peripheral nervous system express thymidine phosphorylase.

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is an angiogenic factor which recently has been shown to be identical to thymidine phosphorylase. We describe here, high levels of expression of PD-ECGF/thymidine phosphorylase in neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) but very little in the central nervous system (CNS). Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were used for the staining of sections of dorsal root ganglia, sympathetic cervical ganglia and the enteric plexus as well as the brain and spinal cord. In addition, in situ hybridisation confirmed the results of immunohistochemistry. The possible role of thymidine phosphorylase in the PNS is discussed.