APUD-type recepto-secretory cells in the chicken lung.
The epithelium of the intrapulmonary airways of the chicken lung has been studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Numerous intensely yellow-fluorescent cells occur in the epithelium of the primary and secondary bronchi. The cell cytoplasm contains characteristic granular vesicles with an electron-dense central core. The vesicles react positively to chromaffin and argentaffin treatment, indicating that they are possible storage sites for amines. Synapse-like junctions occur between the granular cells and the intraepithelial nerve endings, filled with numerous mitochondria, suggesting that these granular cells may have a dual function as both receptor and endocrine cell.
D001078:APUD Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence