title: Immunocytochemical studies on the pancreatic islets of the ratfish Chimaera monstrosa.
abstract: The islet cells and nerves in the pancreas of the ratfish Chimaera monstrosa were examined immunocytochemically by using antisera against mammalian brain-gut peptides. Five types of islet cells were recognized. The B and D cells reacted to anti-insulin and anti-somatostatin sera, respectively. The A and X cells exhibited glucagon-like immunoreactivities. The N-terminal anti-glucagon serum reacted both to the A and the X cells, while the C-terminal anti-glucagon serum bound specifically to the X cells. These results suggested that the X cells contained pancreatic-type glucagon, whereas the A cells, an enteroglucagon (glicentin)-like substance. A fifth type of endocrine cell was scattered in the islets and contained serotonin-like immunoreactivity. Two kinds of peptide nerves were identified. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive neuronal somata were located in the intrapancreatic ganglia. Nerve fibers and terminals containing VIP-like immunoreactivities occurred in the pericapillary space surrounding the islets. Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP)-immunoreactive nerve somata and fibers were scattered along the margins of the islets. The pericapillary arrangement of these nerve terminals suggests a hemocrine release of the peptides.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007106:Immune Sera; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis; D010187:Pancreatic Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010187:Pancreatic Hormones; D012701:Serotonin