Biomedical subjects

S Soinila

Publications and source records attributed to S Soinila.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Peptide YY-like immunoreactivity in sympathetic neurons of the rat.

The occurrence of peptide YY-like peptides in parts of the sympathetic nervous system of the rat was studied by immunocytochemistry and immunochemistry plus analysis by high performance liquid chromatography. Peptide YY-immunoreactive neurons and nerve fibers were detected in the superior cervical ganglion. Co-localization studies indicated that peptide YY and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivities co-exist in a subpopulation of neurons of the superior cervical ganglion. Immunochemical analysis revealed peptide YY-immunoreactive material, distinct from neuropeptide Y, in extracts of the superior cervical ganglion. On reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, extracts of superior cervical ganglion revealed several peaks of peptide YY-like immunoreactive material, one of which eluted close to the position of authentic porcine peptide YY. Peptide YY-immunoreactive nerve fibers were also present in sympathetic target tissues including the auricula and atria of the heart, carotid body, submandibular salivary gland and the adrenal cortex. It is suggested that peptide YY and/or peptide YY-like peptides are present not only in endocrine cells, but also in a subpopulation of cell bodies and fibers of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

L-glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactivity in developing sympathetic tissues of the rat.

An indirect immunofluorescence method was used to study the appearance and distribution of L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme synthesizing gamma-aminobutyric acid, in developing rat retroperitoneal sympathetic tissues. GAD immunoreactivity was analyzed in correlation with immunoreactivity to the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), in the main retroperitoneal paraganglion, adrenal medullae and abdominal sympathetic ganglia. In different abdominal sympathetic tissues TH-immunoreactive cells first appeared on embryonic days 12.5-14.5, while GAD immunoreactivity was first observed in all these tissues in 14.5-day-old embryos (E 14.5). This suggests that the first expression of GAD is not coupled to the onset of catecholamine synthesis. In developing chain ganglia, GAD immunoreactivity was localized prenatally only in cell clusters with bright TH immunoreactivity, suggesting that GAD is expressed only in the cell lineage leading to ganglionic small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells. The coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex developed from the preaortic sympathetic tissue, starting from E 16.5 embryos, when the cranial, moderately TH-immunoreactive cells of this tissue were seen to form compact cell islets around the branches of the abdominal aorta. The caudal, intensely TH-immunoreactive cells of preaortic sympathetic tissue were seen to form the main retroperitoneal paraganglion from day E 15.5. During the prenatal period GAD immunoreactivity in preaortic sympathetic tissue was present caudally only in these paraganglionic cells and cranially in some brightly TH-immunoreactive cells, representing SIF and/or paraganglionic cells. In the adrenal medulla, only some of the TH-immunoreactive cells showed GAD immunoreactivity during early developmental stages. The moderately TH-immunoreactive, noradrenaline-synthesizing, cell clusters were seen for the first time in E 16.5 embryos, and they exhibited no GAD immunoreactivity. Thereafter, GAD was expressed only in the intensely TH-immunoreactive, adrenaline-synthesizing, cell clusters. The results of this study indicate that in the developing rat sympathetic tissues GAD is present only in the cell lineages which differentiate into SIF cells of abdominal sympathetic ganglia, preaortic paraganglionic cells and adrenaline cells of the adrenal medulla.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1989

Biological demonstration of nerve growth factor in the rat pituitary gland.

Explants of anterior, intermediate and posterior pituitary lobes of rats at various ages evoked an intense nerve fibre outgrowth when co-cultured with neonatal sympathetic superior cervical ganglia in a collagen gel medium. Freezing and thawing of pituitary lobes, prior to culture, did not abolish their growth-promoting effect. Since the addition of antiserum to nerve growth factor in the culture medium inhibited totally the stimulative action of both fresh and frozen pituitary explants it is suggested that the stimulation is mediated by nerve growth factor or an immunologically related molecule. Based on the present results it is concluded that nerve growth factor is synthesized by both the anterior, intermediate and posterior lobes throughout the postnatal period, as well as in adult rats. The function of nerve growth factor in the pituitary gland is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Developmental changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactivity of sympathetic cells.

5-Hydroxytryptamine was demonstrated immunohistochemically in developing sympathetic chain ganglia, adrenal medullae and retroperitoneal paraganglionic tissue. Initially, all catecholamine-synthesizing cells were immunoreactive to 5-hydroxytryptamine, but during the maturation some sympathetic cell types lose this property. In the ganglia, small intensely fluorescent cells retain their 5-hydroxytryptamine content throughout maturation. This property is expressed transitionally in some neonatal principal neurons, but can be triggered even in adult neurons, e.g. after loading with L-tryptophan. In the adrenal medulla, immunoreactivity to 5-hydroxytryptamine is carried over to the adrenaline-synthesizing cells, while in the main retroperitoneal paraganglion it is observed in both adrenaline and noradrenaline cells. These results suggest that initial expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine immunoreactivity is coupled to the onset of catecholamine synthesis, but is regulated differently in each mature sympathetic organ.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1988

5-Hydroxytryptamine and catecholamines in developing sympathetic cells of the rat.

Appearance of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in developing sympathetic cells of prenatal rats was studied using the indirect immunofluorescence method. In consecutive sections, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity was considered as a marker for catecholamine-synthesizing cells in general, while phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) immunoreactivity was used as an indicator of adrenaline synthesis. 5-HT immunoreactivity was observed for the first time in 12.5-day-old embryos in developing sympathetic chain ganglia. On day 13.5, 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were first seen on the preaortic region and on day 14.5 in the developing adrenal gland. Comparison with consecutive sections stained for TH revealed that all TH-immunoreactive cells were also 5-HT-immunoreactive. During later development, however, 5-HT immunoreactivity was retained by some cell types in each sympathetic tissue. In the ganglia, most developing principal nerve cells gradually lost their 5-HT immunoreactivity, while all so-called small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells remained intensely 5-HT-immunoreactive. In the adrenal medulla, all catecholamine-containing cells showed 5-HT immunoreactivity until day 16.5. The first adrenaline-synthesizing cells appeared at this stage. Occasionally on day 16.5 and constantly on day 17.5 noradrenaline cell islets were distinguished among adrenaline cells. The adrenaline cells retained intense 5-HT immunoreactivity, while the noradrenaline cells were non-reactive to it. In the main retroperitoneal paraganglion, two noradrenaline cell populations were distinguished from day 15.5, one being 5-HT-immunoreactive and the other non-reactive. A third population appeared in this tissue at the time of birth, consisting of adrenaline-synthesizing cells which were also 5-HT-immunoreactive. These results indicate that the 3 sympathetic tissues undergo similar developmental changes: 5-HT immunoreactivity occurs in conjunction with the initiation of catecholamine synthesis and appears first in all catecholamine cells. During maturation it is confined to certain subpopulations in each tissue, i.e. the SIF cells and some principal nerve cells of the ganglion, the adrenaline cells of the adrenal medulla, the adrenaline cells and some noradrenaline cells of the paraganglionic tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Nerve growth factor-like activity in the rat pituitary intermediate lobe.

Nerve growth factor (NGF)-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the rat pituitary intermediate lobe by indirect immunofluorescence method using antisera specific to beta-NGF isolated from adult male mouse submaxillary salivary gland. Co-culture of frozen or fresh intermediate lobes with newborn rat superior cervical ganglion resulted in marked fiber growth from the ganglion, which was totally inhibited by NGF antiserum, suggesting the presence in situ and secretion in vitro of biologically active pituitary NGF. Pituitary stalk transection caused decrease in both the NGF immunoreactivity and biological activity. These findings suggest that pituitary NGF level is under neural regulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Binding sites in the rat brain for Escherichia coli S fimbriae associated with neonatal meningitis.

Escherichia coli strains that cause sepsis and meningitis in neonatal infants carry S fimbriae that bind to sialyl galactoside units of cell surface glycoproteins. To investigate the possible role of S fimbriae in determining the tissue tropism of neonatal meningitis, we have studied the presence of binding sites for S fimbriae in different tissues of the neonatal rat which is susceptible to meningitis caused by S-fimbriated E. coli. Purified S fimbriae were incubated on cryostat sections of different rat organs and their binding was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence. In the brain of the neonatal rat, S fimbriae specifically bound to the luminal surfaces of the vascular endothelium and of the epithelium lining the choroid plexuses and brain ventricles. The binding was completely inhibited by the trisaccharide NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4Glc, a receptor analogue of S fimbriae, and by a preceding neuraminidase treatment of the sections. A recombinant E. coli strain expressing S fimbriae adhered in large numbers to the same tissue sites in the neonatal brain sections as did the purified fimbriae, whereas the non-fimbriated host strain and a recombinant strain expressing P fimbriae did not adhere to brain tissues. The results suggest that adhesion of S-fimbriated bacteria to the binding sites observed in the neonatal brain has a pathogenetic role during bacterial invasion from circulation into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in the rat pituitary. An immunohistochemical study.

The catecholamine-containing nerve fibers of the rat pituitary were studied by immunohistochemical demonstration of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). Immunohistochemical demonstration of TH confirms earlier catecholamine fluorescence histochemical studies showing a fine network of varicose fibers in both the intermediate and the neural lobe, with the most dense aggregation of fibers at the border between the lobes. DBH-immunoreactive fibers were much less in number, and confined to the neural lobe, where both vascular and parenchymal fibers were seen. With the antibody to PNMT bright staining was seen in all the glandular cells of the intermediate lobe, while the neural lobe was negative. No immunoreactive structures were observed in the anterior lobe. Functionally the study confirms the presence of an extensive dopaminergic innervation of the neurointermediate lobe, giving an anatomical basis for the tonic inhibitory action of dopamine on the intermediate lobe cells and for recent observations attributing dopamine a local regulatory function also in the neural lobe. In addition to vascular noradrenaline-containing fibers as described earlier the study shows parenchymal DBH-immunoreactive fibers in the neural lobe, suggesting a local role for noradrenaline in this lobe. The nature of the cellular PNMT-immunoreactivity in the intermediate lobe remains to be established. The cellular localization of the PNMT-immunoreactivity was distinctly different than that of the alpha-MSH-immunoreactivity within the intermediate lobe cells and reserpine treatment did not affect the PNMT-immunoreactivity although it induced a heterogeneous depletion of alpha-MSH and related peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Neuron-like derivatives of cultured F9 embryonal carcinoma cells express characteristics of parietal endoderm cells.

Murine F9 embryonal carcinoma cells exposed to retinoic acid and dibutyryl cyclic AMP gradually arborize and acquire a neuron-like morphology in monolayer culture. Whether F9 cells can be induced to differentiate into cells with features specific to neural cells is controversial. We analyzed the intermediate filament content and pericellular matrix proteins of F9 cells after exposing them to retinoic acid, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and nerve growth factor. In long-term cultures, a great majority of the cells appeared neuron-like, but showed intra- and pericellular laminin and type IV collagen, and frequently cytokeratin filaments as well. Several monoclonal antibodies to neurofilaments did not react with these cells in immunofluorescence or immunoblotting, though they recognize either all or individual mouse neurofilament triplet proteins. Polyclonal antibodies to neurofilament proteins gave a diffuse, nonfibrillar, vinblastine-resistant fluorescence in the morphologically neuron-like cells, but in immunoblotting failed to reveal polypeptides compatible with neurofilament triplet proteins. In long-term cultures, most of the cells appeared to have partially or totally lost the intermediate filaments. This was confirmed with anti-IFA antibodies which normally react with all intermediate filament proteins. The F9-derived cells did not respond to nerve growth factor in any detectable way. We conclude that the morphologically neuron-like derivatives of F9 cells display characteristics of modified parietal endoderm-like cells and do not show unequivocal features of neural cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Pre- and postnatal development of rat retroperitoneal paraganglia.

The prenatal and postnatal development of the rat retroperitoneal paraganglia were studied using the formaldehyde-induced catecholamine fluorescence (FIF) method. In addition, the transmitter composition of the paraganglionic cells of the newborn rat was analyzed by immunohistochemical demonstration of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. The first fluorescent preaortic cells were detected in the 13.5-day-old embryos. One day later these cells constituted a distinct organ with moderately fluorescent cells, and in 15.5-day-old embryos this organ consisted cranially of moderately fluorescent and caudally of brightly fluorescent cells. The organ reached its largest size at birth and afterwards fibrous material increased between the fluorescent cells. In 4-week-old animals, only small clusters of fluorescent cells were observed in the preaortic area although many small paraganglia were situated cranially near the coeliac ganglion. In the organ of the newborn rat, many cells showed bright FIF. In addition, some cells with only slight or moderate fluorescence as well as non-fluorescent cells were detected. The analysis of immunoreactivity to the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes showed that there was a cell population with intense reactivity to both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). These cells were considered as paraganglion-type cells. Some of them were also immunoreactive to phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). In addition, there were cells with weak to moderate reactivity to TH and DBH but not to PNMT. Also totally negative cells were constantly seen. These findings were confirmed by using consecutive sections for the localization of different enzymes and by using the Tramu method to elute previous staining and by restaining the same sections with the other antibodies. It is concluded that the retroperitoneal paraganglia of newborn rat consist of many paraganglion-type cells containing noradrenaline, some of them containing also adrenaline, a few neuron-like cells with TH and DBH immunoreactivity, and cells containing no catecholamines.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Localization of L-glutamate decarboxylase and GABA transaminase immunoreactivity in the sympathetic ganglia of the rat.

The location of L-glutamate decarboxylase and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA)-transaminase immunoreactivity in the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex of the rat was studied by an indirect immunofluorescence method and by immunoelectron microscopy, with specific antisera raised in rabbits against the corresponding enzymes. In light microscopy, several glutamate decarboxylase- or GABA-transaminase-immunoreactive principal nerve cells were detected in the superior cervical ganglion and coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex. In addition, numerous small cells in both the superior cervical ganglion and coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex showed intense immunoreactivity to glutamate decarboxylase or GABA-transaminase. The small cells were 10-20 micron in diameter and resembled in size and morphology the small intensely fluorescent cells. In consecutive sections, the small glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive cell clusters also showed immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase, suggesting that these cells contain the enzymes for both GABA and catecholamine synthesis. In the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was also localized in fibre-like processes around and between the principal nerve cells, in nerve trunks traversing the ganglia, and around or in close contact with ganglionic blood vessels. Furthermore, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was observed in fibre-like structures close to the capsule of the ganglia. Division of the preganglionic nerve trunk of the superior cervical ganglion caused no detectable change in GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity in the ganglion. In immunoelectron microscopy of the superior cervical ganglion, GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was localized in nerve fibres in association with neurotubules. A large number of GABA-transaminase labelled principal nerve cells were detected, containing immunoreactivity evenly distributed in their cytoplasm. GABA-transaminase immunoreactivity was also observed in satellite cells and their processes in the superior cervical ganglion. The present immunocytochemical results provide evidence that the rat sympathetic ganglia contain an intrinsic neuronal system showing histochemical markers for GABA synthesis and inactivation, but its functional role in the modulation of ganglionic neurotransmission remains to be established.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗

PubMed1987

[Met5]enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7- and [Met5]enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-immunoreactive nerve fibres and neurons in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

[Met5]enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7-(MEAP-) and [Met5]enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-(MEAGL-) immunoreactivity was studied by indirect immunohistochemistry in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat with specific antisera produced in rabbits against the corresponding synthetic opioid peptides. Several MEAP- and a few MEAGL-immunoreactive principal nerve cells were observed in the ganglion, while the small intensely fluorescent cells appeared as non-reactive. The superior cervical ganglion also contained dense networks of MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactive nerve fibres, which often formed basket-like structures around the principal nerve cells and small intensely fluorescent cells. After ligation of the preganglionic nerve trunk with simultaneous transection of the main postganglionic trunks, a distinct accumulation of both MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactivity was observed on both sides of the ligature. Ligation of the preganglionic nerve trunk caused a marked decrease in the number of both MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the ganglion. Ligation of the main postganglionic nerve trunks with simultaneous preganglionic nerve division resulted in accumulation of MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactive material on the ganglionic side of the ligature in both the external and internal carotid nerve. After division of both the pre- and postganglionic nerve trunks, some immunoreactive nerve fibres and principal nerve cells were still observed in the ganglion. A few immunoreactive neurons and nerve fibres were also observed in the ganglion stellatum. A large number of MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactive nerve fibres was detected in the spinal cord at the levels C6-Th6. A few neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord at levels C8-Th1 showed MEAP- but not MEAGL-immunoreactivity. The cultured superior cervical ganglion contained a few MEAP-immunoreactive neurons, and the fibre outgrowth showed immunoreactivity both to MEAP and MEAGL. In electron microscopy, MEAGL-immunoreactivity in the superior cervical ganglion was localized in nerve fibres containing neurotubules and in principal nerve cells. The present results demonstrate that the rat superior cervical ganglion contains both extrinsic and intrinsic MEAP- and MEAGL-immunoreactive nerve fibres. Most of these fibres are of preganglionic origin. Both the principal nerve and small intensely fluorescent cells are often surrounded by MEAP- or MEAGL-immunoreactive nerve fibres and may receive innervation by these fibres. Several ganglionic neurons projecting to the sympathetic target tissues show MEAP- and/or MEAGL-immunoreactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Pre- and postnatal development of 5-hydroxytryptamine-immunoreactive cells in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

The pre- and postnatal development of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-immunoreactive cells in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat was studied by indirect immunofluorescence method with an antibody to a conjugate of bovine serum albumin and 5-HT. The superior cervical ganglia from 11-day-old embryos to 90-day-old postnatal rats were examined. 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were first detected in the superior cervical ganglion on the 12th day of gestation. At this stage of development the ganglionic cells formed a condensed group, and most of them showed 5-HT-immunoreactivity. During later prenatal development the relative number of the 5-HT-immunoreactive cells in the ganglion decreased and most ganglionic cells appeared as non-reactive. 5-HT-immunoreactive cells showed some variation in size and fluorescence intensity during the whole prenatal development. In the ganglia of newborn rats a wide range of 5-HT-immunoreactive cell sizes was detected. Two types of 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were distinguished in the ganglia of 7- to 35-day-old rats: small (5-15 microns in diameter) cells and large (15-30 microns in diameter) cells, resembling in size small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells and principal nerve (PN) cells, respectively. The relative number of the large 5-HT-immunoreactive cells gradually decreased after the first postnatal week, and these cells were not detected in the ganglia of 90-day-old rats. Small 5-HT-immunoreactive cells constantly formed clusters in the ganglia of postnatal rats. A marked, statistically significant increase in the density of 5-HT-immunoreactive cells occurred during the 4th postnatal week. The 5-HT-immunoreactive cells appeared in the prenatal superior cervical ganglion of the rat approximately at the same time as the cells showing formaldehyde-induced catecholamine fluorescence. Transient occurrence of the large 5-HT-immunoreactive cells during the first postnatal weeks of development indicates, that in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat, 5-hydroxytryptamine may be expressed in some developing PN cells early postnatally. After the 5th postnatal week, the large 5-HT-immunoreactive neuronal cells cannot be detected, and 5-HT is expressed only in the SIF cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Age-dependent stimulation by atrium explants or nerve growth factor of nerve fibre outgrowth from cocultured embryonic rat sympathetic ganglia.

Whole sympathetic superior cervical ganglia of 14- and 15-day-old rat embryos were cultured in a collagen gel medium for 24 h with or without explants of heart atrium from the same animals or from newborn rats. The extent of nerve fibre outgrowth was estimated by counting the number of nerve fibres crossing each arc of a sector drawn in the microscope ocular. Only few nerve fibres extended from the ganglia of the 14-day-old embryos cultured in the pure control medium. Addition of exogenous nerve growth factor did not stimulate the poor growth. While the growth of nerve fibres in the presence of atrium explants of newborn rats did not significantly differ from that in cultures without any target tissue, the presence of atrium explants of the same, 14-day-old, embryo resulted in clearly enhanced fibre outgrowth from the ganglia, which was inhibited by antiserum to the nerve growth factor. The ganglia of 15-day-old embryos cultured without target tissue in the control medium produced only sparse fibre outgrowth which was excessively increased by exogenous nerve growth factor. Coculture with atrium explants of 15-day-old embryos or newborn rats produced an increased overall nerve fibre growth, as well as predominance of those fibres growing toward the target tissue. The growth-promoting effect of the atrium of 15-day-old embryos was only partially prevented by antiserum to the nerve growth factor, while that elicited by newborn rat atrium was totally inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed1986

Transmitters and modulators in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

Several transmitters and modulators have been found to exist in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat. It has been shown that noradrenaline is present in the principal neurons and dopamine is the main catecholamine in the small intensely fluorescent cells. 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine have been investigated immunohistochemically and found to be present only in the small intensely fluorescent cells of an adult rat, in the same cells which are also immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase. On the other hand, enkephalins which were studied using highly specific antibodies against methionine-enkephalin-arginine-phenylalanine and methionine-enkephalin-arginine-glycine-leucine were found in the principal neurons and nerve fibres. Ligation studies showed that enkephalins in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat are both of intrinsic and extrinsic origin. It is evident that the transmission in the sympathetic ganglion is complex. The possible function of the transmitter and modulator candidates is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Histamine-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the adrenal medulla of the rat.

Histamine is widely distributed in various mammalian tissues and it has been shown that histamine is located in mast cells as well as in other structures. Biochemical evidence has been presented that histamine acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated the location of histamine-immunoreactive neuronal cells in both the central and peripheral nervous system. Biochemical studies have shown that histamine is present in the adrenal gland, while the location of histamine in the adrenal medulla is not known. There is pharmacological and biochemical evidence that exogenous histamine affects the catecholamine secretion of the adrenal medulla. The present study was undertaken to examine the location of histamine in the rat adrenal medulla by an indirect immunofluorescence method using a specific histamine antiserum. We now report the presence of histamine-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the adrenal medulla of the rat and suggest that histamine is located in the noradrenaline-secreting cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1985

Histamine-immunoreactive cells in the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex of the rat.

Histamine-immunoreactive small cells were detected in the superior cervical ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex of the rat with a specific antiserum produced in rabbits. Most histamine-immunoreactive cells were arranged in clusters, often around small blood vessels. Solitary immunoreactive small cells were also observed and they were easily distinguished from mast cells. The principal nerve cells showed no immunoreactivity to histamine and no histamine-containing nerve fibers were detected in the ganglia by the present method. Due to close morphological similarities, it is concluded that the small immunoreactive cells observed in the present study represent small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells first detected by formaldehyde-induced catecholamine fluorescence.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Effect of hydrocortisone on immunohistochemically demonstrable phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase in cultures of embryonic and postnatal superior cervical ganglia.

Pre- and postnatal superior cervical ganglia of the rat were cultured in Rose chambers for 1-7 days with or without hydrocortisone. Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence technique. In cultures without added hydrocortisone, no cells or fibres showed PNMT-immunoreactivity, without regard to the time in culture or the developmental stage at the time of explantation. The first PNMT-immunoreactive cells in hydrocortisone-containing cultures appeared 3 days after the explantation of E14 ganglia, or 1 day after the explantation of E15 ganglia, i.e. at the developmental stage E16-E17. The cultures of neither E14 nor E15 ganglia showed marked fibre growth from the PNMT-immunoreactive cell bodies. On the other hand, in the hydrocortisone-containing cultures of newborn or postnatal rats, there was extensive nerve fibre formation from the PNMT-immunoreactive cells in the course of the culture. PNMT-immunoreactive cells did not appear in hydrocortisone-containing cultures of ganglia taken from rats older than 17 postnatal days.

Animals↗