According to recent studies, it is highly possible that the occurrence of vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT) is a good marker of GABA-signaling not only in the brain, but also in extra-brain tissue cells containing GABA and GAD. In view of this, the present study was attempted to localize VIAAT-immunoreactivity in the submandibular gland of mice. In the present study, the submandibular glands of male mice at various postnatal developmental stages were examined for detailed localization of VIAAT-immunoreactivity in immunohistochemistry at light microscopic level. The immunoreactivity for VIAAT was localized in epithelial cells of proximal and distal excretory ducts with the striated portion more intensely immunopositive at young postnatal stages. No significant immunoreactivity was seen in the acinar cells throughout the postnatal development. In addition, the immunoreactivity forVIAAT was detected in the salivary parasympathetic ganglionic neurons, but not in any nerve fibers surrounding the glandular cells. Furthermore, VIAAT-immunoreactivity was found in smooth muscle cells forming the outermost layer of intralobular arterioles. From the present findings, it is possible that GABA plays roles as paracrine and autocrine regulators in the saliva secretion as well as the gland development.

KEY WORDS: VIATT-immunoreactivity; GABA; Salivary glands; Arteriolar smooth muscle.