In situ localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA was examined in the nerve lesions of patients with vasculitic neuropathy. Double labeling of in situ hybridization for NGF mRNA and immunohistochemistry for cell markers showed that NGF mRNA was expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells: Schwann cells, infiltrating macrophages, T cells and perivascular cells. Round-shaped macrophages with early-phase features expressed high levels of NGF mRNA, in contrast to late-phase polymorphic macrophages, which expressed low levels of NGF mRNA. NGF mRNA was also expressed universally in T cells with various cell surface markers. Epineurial macrophages surrounding vasculitic lesions and endoneurial T cells expressed high levels of NGF mRNA in the damaged nerves. Moreover, the extent of endoneurial NGF expression level in macrophages was closely related to the degree of axonal regeneration. These results suggest that NGF is expressed in a wide range of lineages of cells but is differentially expressed spatially in vasculitic nerve lesions, and that the expressed NGF, particularly in macrophages, may play an important role in the nerve regeneration process.