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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Adhesion of rice flour-based batter to chicken drumsticks evaluated by laser scanning confocal microscopy and texture analysis.

The convenience and appeal of battered or breaded products have resulted in a sales increase of 100% since 1980. Because of the rapid growth of the Asian-American population and increasing consumption of rice and rice products, rice flour is a logical alternative for wheat flour in traditional batter formulation. The effects of ingredients used in rice flour-based batters on adhesion characteristic for deep-fat fried chicken drumsticks were studied by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and texture analysis. Raw chicken drumsticks were predusted with egg albumin powder before dipping into batters prepared from combinations of rice flour, yellow corn flour, oxidized cornstarch, methylcellulose, or xanthan gum. The drumsticks were fried at 175+/-5 C until the internal temperature reached at least 71 C. For LSCM, samples were fixed overnight and were sectioned by vibratome (200 microm) before viewing. Batter adhesion was determined using an attachment specifically designed for chicken drumsticks. Microstructural analysis showed that batter formulated with a 50:50 mixture of rice and corn flours adhered better to drumsticks than batter with other rice flour ratios. Xanthan gum (0.2%) or methylcellulose (0.3%) alone had poor adhesion to chicken skin. However, when combined with other ingredients, xanthan gum increased the amount of batter pick-up before frying by increasing viscosity. Egg albumin significantly facilitated batter adhesion. The results from texture analysis supported the microstructural studies. As rice flour ratio increased from 50 to 70%, the binding force decreased. Rice flour showed potential as an alternative to wheat flour for batter formulas when the appropriate levels of oxidized starch, xanthan gum, and methylcellulose were included in the formulation.

Albumins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Confocal microscopy of corneal penetration by tarantula hairs.

In vivo identification of foreign bodies in the cornea may be impossible if the size and/or location precludes visualization by slit lamp biomicroscopy, which has an upper limit of magnification of 50x. These limitations became obvious when we attempted to identify the offending material in the inflamed eye of a patient who complained of foreign body sensation after contact with a pet tarantula. As a model of this clinical situation, we used a newly developed tandem scanning confocal microscope to observe and to photograph tarantula hairs as they penetrated the corneal stroma and endothelium and entered the anterior chamber in rabbit eyes. We found that, experimentally, the hairs penetrated the ocular tissues apparently without inciting inflammation or causing fibrosis. The instrument we used--a prototype with a Nipkow disk from Noran, Inc. (Middleton, Wis.) and a 25/0.8 na glycerin immersion lens (Plan-Neofluor, Zeiss)--provides magnifications of 100-500x, real-time viewing in vivo, optical sectioning, contrast control, high resolution, processing through image analysis systems, and video and hard copy output. We believe that confocal microscopy offers a new approach to the identification and localization of foreign bodies in the anterior segment, as well as to the visualization and diagnosis of ocular diseases, including bacterial, fungal, and other parasitic invasions, in the human eye.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The endocytic pathway for H-ferritin established in live MOLT-4 cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

We have established the intracellular destination of the putative immunoregulatory protein, human recombinant H (heavy)-ferritin, in the transformed T-cell line MOLT-4, by laser scanning confocal microscopy of live cells. A series of confocal images was collected over a 60 min time course using indirect immunofluorescence of H-ferritin and transferrin, their respective monoclonal antibodies, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled IgG. A marked drop in FITC fluorescence after 40 min of H-ferritin internalization, indicative of an acidic environment, and co-localization with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-labelled-dextran strongly suggests that H-ferritin is transferred to the lysosome. In contrast, transferrin was observed to return to the cell surface. Electron microscopy confirmed that H-ferritin was transferred to the lysosome. The receptor-mediated endocytosis and lysosomal delivery of H-ferritin may thus potentiate its putative immunoregulatory activity.

Endocytosis↗
PubMed2006

Diabetes and corneal cell densities in humans by in vivo confocal microscopy.

PURPOSE: Diabetes is accompanied by an increased autofluorescence of the cornea, probably because of accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. This study aimed to quantify differences in corneal cell densities between diabetic patients and healthy controls. METHODS: The left cornea of 15 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with level of retinopathy 20 according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and of 15 healthy controls were examined by noninvasive in vivo confocal microscopy in an observational prospective study. The cell densities in 6 corneal layers were determined along the optical axis of the cornea by using stereologic methods. RESULTS: The average cell density per unit area in the superficial and basal epithelium and the endothelial layer was 725 +/- 171, 5950 +/- 653, and 2690 +/- 302 cells/mm in controls and 815 +/- 260, 5060 +/- 301, and 2660 +/- 364 cells/mm in diabetic patients. The cell density per unit volume in the anterior, mid-, and posterior stroma was 26,300 +/- 4090, 19,390 +/- 3120, and 25,700 +/- 3260 cells/mm in controls and 27,560 +/- 3880, 21,930 +/- 2110, and 25,790 +/- 3090 cells/mm in patients with diabetes. In both groups, the density in the midstroma was significantly lower than in both the anterior stroma and the posterior stroma (P < 0.02). The cell density in the basal layer of diabetic patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls (-15.0%, P < 0.0004). In the other layers, no significant differences between both groups (P > 0.07) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lower basal cell density found in patients with diabetes may result from a combination of different mechanisms including decreased innervation at the subbasal nerve plexus, basement membrane alterations, and higher turnover rate in basal epithelial cells. The lower cell density in the midstroma of diabetic patients and healthy controls may be attributed in part to differences in oxygen concentration in the stromal layers (depths). Changes in cellular density did not seem to be responsible for the increased autofluorescence in diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Confocal microscopy study of nerves and blood vessels in untreated and treated port wine stains: preliminary observations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vascular ectasia in port wine stain birthmarks (PWS) might result from reduced innervation with loss of autonomic stimulation. We investigated this theory and evaluated nerve and blood vessel density, and mean blood vessel size in untreated and treated PWS skin. METHODS: Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from uninvolved skin, untreated PWS, PWS with a good response to laser treatment and PWS with a poor response to laser treatment. Confocal microscopy was performed to determine nerve and blood vessel density, and mean blood vessel size. RESULTS: Nerve density was significantly decreased in all PWS sites compared to uninvolved skin. Mean blood vessel diameter was larger in untreated compared to treated PWS. PWS with a good response to treatment had decreased nerve density but blood vessel density and mean diameter was relatively normal. PWS with a poor response to treatment had decreased nerve density but increased blood vessel density and mean blood vessel diameter compared to normal skin. CONCLUSION: Nerve density was decreased in all evaluated PWS sites and this may be a factor in lesion pathogenesis. PWS blood vessel size correlated with pulsed dye laser response and may prove to be a useful prognostic indicator of therapeutic outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Beta-chemokine expression and distribution in paraffin-embedded transplant renal biopsy sections: analysis by scanning laser confocal microscopy.

Previous immunohistochemical and in situ hybridisation studies have shown that, in tubulitis associated with acute cellular rejection of human renal allografts, intratubular T cells proliferate and are fully activated in situ. In the immunohistochemical study reported here we have attempted to establish some understanding of the involvement of the beta-chemokines RANTES, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta in recruiting T cells to the intratubular site. Paraffin-embedded routine biopsy sections were treated for conventional indirect immunofluorescence to detect the selected chemokines. Scanning laser confocal microscopy was used to provide a measure of fluorescence intensity resulting from binding of FITC-labelled secondary antibody. Cells expressing chemokines could be identified and, within the limits of the staining method, it was possible to obtain a semi-quantitative assessment of individual chemokine activity at different points in biopsy sections by constructing a profile of fluorescence intensity. High concentrations of chemokines (especially RANTES, MIP-1beta and/or MIP-1alpha) were localised to the basolateral surface of tubular epithelial cells (TEC). MCP-1 was also consistently present but at a lower level than RANTES except in one case identified as BANFF category 3. There was diffuse distribution of chemokines in the interstitial matrix and low intensity fluorescence outlined some endothelial cells of peritubular venules and interstitial fibroblast-like cells. Our results suggest a mechanism for specific chemotactic recruitment of inflammatory cells by TEC-produced chemokines.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1997

A novel virus binding assay using confocal microscopy: demonstration that the intracellular and extracellular vaccinia virions bind to different cellular receptors.

Vaccinia virus (VV) produces two antigenically and structurally distinct infectious virions, intracellular mature virus (IMV) and extracellular enveloped virus (EEV), which bind to unidentified and possibly different cellular receptors. Studies of VV binding have been hampered by having two infectious virions and by the rupture of the EEV outer membrane in the majority of EEV virions during purification. To overcome these problems, we have developed a novel approach to study VV binding that is based on confocal microscopy and does not require EEV purification. In this assay, individual virus particles adsorbed to the cell are simultaneously distinguished and quantified by double immunofluorescence labelling with antibody markers for EEV and IMV. By this method, we show unequivocally that IMV and EEV bind to different cellular receptors. Three independent observations allow this conclusion. First, the efficiencies with which IMV and EEV bind to different cell lines are unrelated; second, cell surface digestion with some enzymes affects IMV and EEV binding differently; and third, the binding of a monoclonal antibody to cells prevents IMV binding but not EEV binding. This technique may be widely applicable for studying the binding of different viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

S phase determination in intact colonic crypts by histone H3 messenger RNA in situ hybridization and confocal microscopy.

Proliferating cells have a restricted three-dimensional spatial distribution within the crypt, which is the proliferative unit of the colon. Accurate quantitative and spatial analyses of S phase cells in the colon have therefore been limited by histological techniques. To overcome these limitations, S phase cells in microdissected intact colonic crypts of control, modified-starved, and refed rats were labeled by histone H3 in situ hybridization and analyzed by confocal microscopy. High-resolution digital images of the crypt cell nuclei stained with cyanine nucleic acid and of the labeled S phase cells were produced from confocal microscopic optical crypt sections. The S phase labeling index (LI) per whole crypt significantly (P < 0.001) discriminated the proliferative differences between control, modified-starved, and refed rats and correlated (r = 0.92) with the LI determined from histological crypt sections of the same rats. The variance component of the LI attributable to differences between whole crypts, 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.51), was considerably smaller than that attributable to differences between histological crypt sections, 6.07 (95% confidence interval, 5.18-6.96). Confocal microscopy and histone H3 in situ hybridization of intact three-dimensional crypts enables precise in vitro quantitation and spatial analysis of the total and S phase crypt cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cell-specific localization of monocarboxylate transporters, MCT1 and MCT2, in the adult mouse brain revealed by double immunohistochemical labeling and confocal microscopy.

Recent evidence suggests that lactate could be a preferential energy substrate transferred from astrocytes to neurons. This would imply the presence of specific transporters for lactate on both cell types. We have investigated the immunohistochemical localization of two monocarboxylate transporters, MCT1 and MCT2, in the adult mouse brain. Using specific antibodies raised against MCT1 and MCT2, we found strong immunoreactivity for each transporter in glia limitans, ependymocytes and several microvessel-like elements. In addition, small processes distributed throughout the cerebral parenchyma were immunolabeled for monocarboxylate transporters. Double immunofluorescent labeling and confocal microscopy examination of these small processes revealed no co-localization between glial fibrillary acidic protein and monocarboxylate transporters, although many glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive processes were often in close apposition to elements labeled for monocarboxylate transporters. In contrast, several elements expressing the S100beta protein, another astrocytic marker found to be located in distinct parts of the same cell when compared with glial fibrillary acidic protein, were also strongly immunoreactive for MCT1, suggesting expression of this transporter by astrocytes. In contrast, MCT2 was expressed in a small subset of microtubule-associated protein-2-positive elements, indicating a neuronal localization. In conclusion, these observations are consistent with the possibility that lactate, produced and released by astrocytes (via MCT1), could be taken up (via MCT2) and used by neurons as an energy substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Quantifying anisotropic solute transport in protein crystals using 3-D laser scanning confocal microscopy visualization.

The diffusion of a solute, fluorescein into lysozyme protein crystals has been studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Confocal laser scanning microscopy makes it possible to non-invasively obtain high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) images of spatial distribution of fluorescein in lysozyme crystals at various time steps. Confocal laser scanning microscopy gives the fluorescence intensity profiles across horizontal planes at several depths of the crystal representing the concentration profiles during diffusion into the crystal. These intensity profiles were fitted with an anisotropic model to determine the diffusivity tensor. Effective diffusion coefficients obtained range from 6.2 x 10(-15) to 120 x 10(-15) m2/s depending on the lysozyme crystal morphology. The diffusion process is found to be anisotropic, and the level of anisotropy depends on the crystal morphology. The packing of the protein molecules in the crystal seems to be the major factor that determines the anisotropy.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1995

Cell surface expression and fusion by the varicella-zoster virus gH:gL glycoprotein complex: analysis by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frames 37 and 60 encode the glycoproteins gH (gpIII) and gL (gpVI), respectively. The property of gH:gL complex formation is highly conserved among the herpesviruses, even though the VZV gL component diverges greatly from other herpesvirus gL homologs. VZV gL by itself was processed to a mature product within the Golgi. To evaluate the structure:function relationships for VZV gH:gL complex formation, the VZV gL product was modified by site-directed mutagenesis of three cysteine residues. When the transfection products were examined by laser scanning confocal microscopy, expression of the wild-type gH:gL complex was clearly visualized by a uniform distribution of gH molecules across the cell surface. In contrast, transfection with wild-type gH:mutant gL led to a marked change in the trafficking pattern; gH was not processed in the Golgi and not detected at the cell surface. Likewise, replacement of the gL cysteine residues interfered with the fusogenic properties of the gH:gL complex. Whereas coexpression of wild-type VZV gH:gL caused extensive cell-to-cell fusion with polykaryocytosis, no cell fusion occurred following transfection with gH:mutant gL. Whether another VZV glycoprotein could substitute for VZV gL was investigated within the same transfection system, with the discovery that either VZV gE (gpI) or VZV gI (gpIV) facilitated the cell surface expression of VZV gH. The gH:gE or gH:gI interaction led to a capping or patching phenomenon never seen on the surface of a cell expressing gH:gL complexes; furthermore, cell-to-cell fusion was not observed. The fact that VZV gL, unlike other herpesviral glycoproteins, lacked a traditional signal sequence was investigated further by computer-assisted BlockSearch sequence analysis. The BlockSearch program assigned VZV gL to a family of proteins which lack a typical endoplasmic reticulum signal sequence but possess instead an endoplasmic reticulum targeting sequence. Since the latter sequence is common to many chaperone proteins, VZV gL most likely behaves in a similar manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Visualization of ATP release in pancreatic acini in response to cholinergic stimulus. Use of fluorescent probes and confocal microscopy.

The energy providing substrate ATP can be released from various cells and act extracellularly to regulate the same cells or neighboring cells. However, the pathway for ATP release and the eliciting physiological stimulus are unclear. Recently, we showed that ATP activates P2X and P2Y purinergic receptors on pancreatic ducts. Thus, it was relevant to ask whether the upstream acini could be the source of releasable ATP and what the stimulus might be. We used freshly prepared rat pancreatic acini and applied conventional luminescence measurements of luciferin/luciferase reaction. As a new application of this reaction in confocal microscopy, we monitored luciferin fluorescence as a sign of ATP release by single acini. In addition we used quinacrine to mark ATP stores, which were similar to those marked with fluorescent ATP, 2'-(or-3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate, but only partially overlapping with those marked by acridine orange and LysoTracker Red. In functional studies we show that native pancreatic acini release ATP in response to various stimuli but most importantly to cholinergic stimulation, a very likely physiological stimulus in this epithelium. In a close vicinity of acini we detect about 9 microm ATP after cholinergic stimulation. Thus, ATP is poised as the paracrine mediator between pancreatic acini and ducts.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of melatonin on the spatial and temporal changes of [Ca2+]i in single living cells of cortical neurons by laser scanning confocal microscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of melatonin on the dynamic changes in the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in single intact cultured cortical neurons isolated from fetal rats, in order to explore the possible antiaging mechanisms of melatonin (MT). METHODS: Using the highly fluorescent Ca(2+)-sensitive indicator Fluo-3/AM, cortical neurons cultured in a 35 mm Tissue Culture Dish were in incubated for 45 min at room temperature with 5 mumol/L Fluo-3/AM, resulting in proper intracellular dye concentration to provide adequate signal strength for detection and excellent Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) imaging of [Ca2+]i while not disturbing normal intracellular physiology. The changes in fluorescent intensity were monitored by LSCM. RESULTS: Bay K8644 (10(-6) mol/L), KCl (20 mmol/L), sodium L-glutamate (Glu, 50 mumol/L) caused a rapid increase of [Ca2+]i in cortical neurons, and this increase could be significantly attenuated by 10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L MT. CONCLUSIONS: MT could antagonize the extracellular Ca2+ influx, reduce Ca2+ overload, and have a protective effect on neurons. This may be one of the important antiaging mechanisms of MT.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Excitation-dependent intracellular Ca2+ waves at the border zone of the cryo-injured rat heart revealed by real-time confocal microscopy.

Intracellular Ca2+ waves, which develop under Ca2+-overloaded conditions of the injured myocardium, are regarded as an important substrate for triggered arrhythmias. However, little is known about whether Ca2+ waves arise or become proarrhythmic in the injured heart in situ. On the hypothesis that injured myocardium manifests frequent Ca2+ waves and produce an oscillatory [Ca2+]i rise leading to triggered activity, we applied cryo-injury to the epicardial surface of fluo 3-AM-loaded perfused rat hearts and analyzed spatiotemporal [Ca2+]i changes at border zones of the injured myocardium using real-time confocal microscopy. In intact regions Ca2+ waves barely emerged, whereas the border zone myocardium exhibited frequent Ca2+ waves, propagating randomly within the individual cells. Two different types of Ca2+ waves were identified: highly frequent waves (159.6+/-86.5 waves/min/cell, n=266) adjacent to the cryo-ablated regions, and less frequent waves (79.0+/-50.1 waves/min/cell, n=160) slightly farther (>2 cells) away from the ablated regions (vicinities). The former Ca2+ waves emerged asynchronously to Ca2+ transients. Contrariwise, the latter depended on ventricular excitation: they vanished instantaneously on Ca2+ transients, but emerged more frequently and propagated more swiftly after cessation of higher-frequency pacing. Immediately after 3-Hz pacing, some cryo-injured hearts exhibited oscillatory [Ca2+]i rises; an instantaneous and synchronous elevation of [Ca2+]i followed by burst occurrence of Ca2+ waves with a gradual decrease in incidence and propagation velocity in a considerable number of cells. These observations indicate that myocardial injury induces Ca2+ waves in the heart, and that their synchronous occurrence could become a substrate for triggered arrhythmias.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1997

The use of confocal microscopy in the investigation of cell structure and function in the heart, vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells.

In recent years, fluorescence microscopy imaging has become an important tool for studying cell structure and function. This non invasive technique permits characterization, localisation and qualitative quantification of free ions, messengers, pH, voltage and a pleiad of other molecules constituting living cells. In this paper, we present results using various commercially available fluorescent probes as well as some developed in our laboratory and discuss the advantages and limitations of these probes in confocal microscopy studies of the cardiovascular system.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Localization of the permeability barrier to solutes in isolated arteries by confocal microscopy.

Endothelial cells are covered by a surface layer of membrane-associated proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and associated plasma proteins. This layer may limit transendothelial solute transport. We determined dimension and transport properties of this endothelial surface layer (ESL) in isolated arteries. Rat mesenteric small arteries (diameter approximately 150 microm) were isolated and cannulated with a double-barreled -pipette on the inlet side and a regular pipette on the outlet side. Dynamics and localization of intra-arterial fluorescence by FITC-labeled dextrans (FITC-Deltas) and the endothelial membrane dye DiI were determined with confocal microscopy. Large FITC-Delta (148 kDa) filled a core volume inside the arteries within 1 min but was excluded from a 2.6 +/- 0.5-microm-wide region on the luminal side of the endothelium during 30 min of dye perfusion. Medium FITC-Delta (50.7 kDa) slowly penetrated this ESL within 30 min but did not permeate into the arterial wall. Small FITC-Delta (4.4 kDa) quickly passed the ESL and accumulated in the arterial wall. Prolonged luminal fluorochrome illumination with a bright mercury lamp destroyed the approximately 3-microm exclusion zone for FITC-Delta 148 within a few minutes. This study demonstrates the presence of a thick ESL that contributes to the permeability barrier to solutes. The layer is sensitive to phototoxic stress, and its damage could form an early event in atherosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Measurement of surgically induced corneal deformations using three-dimensional confocal microscopy.

The goal of this study was to develop and apply a new set of experimental techniques for measuring the local deformations induced by partial-thickness corneal incisions in situ. Eight adult cat eyes were enucleated and cannulated, with corneal viability maintained as close to in vivo conditions as possible and intraocular pressure (IOP) carefully controlled. Experimental measurements were made pre/post radial keratotomy (RK) surgery in situ at IOPs of 15, 30, and 45 mm Hg. Incision depth and cross-sectional profiles were measured at the midpoint of selected incisions using three-dimensional (3-D) tandem scanning confocal microscopy (TSCM); central corneal curvature was estimated using a commercial corneal topographical analysis system, and corneal thickness was assessed by both 3-D TSCM and ultrasonic pachymetry. Corneas were then processed for light microscopy and incision depth was measured histologically. Finite element models were developed for comparison with the experimental measurements. There was no significant change in central corneal thickness (-5.3 +/- 3.9%, n = 8) over the course of the experiments, demonstrating that normal endothelial cell function and normal stromal hydration was maintained. The in situ TSCM incision depth measurements were significantly correlated with the histological measurements (slope = 0.95, R = 0.854, p < 0.01, n = 13 incisions). Measured incision gape at the top (anterior) of the stroma was 64.9 +/- 13.4, 87.3 +/- 12.6, and 108.7 +/- 14 microns at IOPs of 15, 30, and 45 mm Hg, respectively. The 3-D incision profiles were nonlinear in shape; comparison with the finite element models suggests that the shape of the wound profile may provide unique information regarding the shear stiffness of the cornea. Overall, the data suggest that TSCM measurements of the cross-sectional profile of the incisions immediately after RK under controlled in situ conditions provide important data regarding the mechanical behavior of the cornea after refractive surgery. These data should provide the foundation for future studies into the relationships between local tissue mechanics and corneal wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Pulmonary intraepithelial vagal nodose afferent nerve terminals are confined to neuroepithelial bodies: an anterograde tracing and confocal microscopy study in adult rats.

Our present understanding of the morphology of neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) in mammalian lungs is comprehensive. Several hypotheses have been put forward regarding their function but none has been proven conclusively. Microscopic data on the innervation that appears to affect the reaction of NEBs to stimuli have given rise to conflicting interpretations. The aim of this study has been to check the validity of the hypothesis that pulmonary NEBs receive an extensive vagal sensory innervation. The fluorescent neuronal tracer DiI was injected into the vagal sensory nodose ganglion and NEBs were visualized in toto by using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy on 100-micrometer-thick frozen sections of the lungs of adult rats. The most striking finding was the extensive intraepithelial terminal arborizations of DiI-labelled vagal afferents in intrapulmonary airways, apparently always co-appearing with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive NEBs. Not all NEBs received a traced nerve fibre. Intrapulmonary CGRP-containing nerve fibres, including those innervating NEBs, always appeared to belong to a nerve fibre population different from the DiI-traced fibres and hence did not arise from the nodose ganglion. Therefore, at least some of the pulmonary NEBs in adult rats are supplied with sensory nerve fibres that originate from the vagal nodose ganglion and form beaded ramifications between the NEB cells, thus providing support for the hypothesis of a receptor function for NEBs.

Animals↗