Immunofluorescence of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in small intensely fluorescent cells of human sympathetic ganglia.
Thoracic and lumbar sympathetic ganglia of human males were investigated using a method for the consecutive demonstration of catecholamines and catecholamine synthesizing enzymes in fluorescence microscopy. In the thoracic ganglion, a minor population of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, identified by glyoxylic-acid-induced fluorescence, exhibited positive indirect immunofluorescence after incubation with antibody to dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). SIF cells in the lumbar ganglion exclusively stained DBH-negative. The findings indicate the presence of two SIF cell populations in the thoracic ganglia of the human sympathetic trunk, one containing dopamine and the other containing norepinephrine and/or epinephrine. In lumbar ganglia, only dopamine-storing SIF cells appear to be present.
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D004298:Dopamine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine