Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)- and Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactivities in small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells and nerve fibers of rat sympathetic ganglia.
Superior cervical and hypogastric ganglia were removed from rats that had been perfused with a mixture of 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.25% glutaraldehyde. Specific antisera against Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (MEAGL) and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) were used in the immunofluorescence procedure. In hypogastric ganglia, a subpopulation of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, as identified by their aqueous aldehyde (Faglu)-induced fluorescence, showed MEAGL- and BN/GRP-like immunolabeling. SIF cells in the superior cervical ganglia were unlabeled. In both ganglia, varicose nerve fiber networks and nerve terminals surrounding principal ganglion cells showed MEAGL- and BN/GRP-like immunoreactivities. Unlabeled SIF cells often were in close contact with nerve fibers that had MEAGL-like immunolabeling. Immunoreactivities against MEAGL- and BN/GRP-like neuropeptides in nerve fibers and terminals suggest a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator role for these peptides. In addition, labeling in SIF cells implies their possible endocrine function.
D000818:Animals; D002344:Carotid Body / Q000276:immunology; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000276:immunology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D010455:Peptides; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; C033453:enkephalin-Met, Arg(6)-Gly(7)-Leu(8)-