Immunohistochemical demonstration of the synthesis enzyme for nitric oxide and of comediators in neurons and chromaffin cells of the human adrenal medulla.
Within the human adrenal medulla immunoreactivity for the nitric oxide (NO)-generating enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was demonstrated in neurons, nerve fibres and chromaffin cells. Correlation of NOS-immunoreactivity with immunostaining for the peptides neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, substance P or vasoactive intestinal polypetide and for the catecholamine synthesis-enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, respectively, in nerve cell bodies revealed colocalization of NOS only with substance P. Sparse intramedullary NOS-immunoreactive varicose nerve fibres associated with blood vessels or with chromaffin tissue were devoid of immunoreactivities for tyrosine hydroxylase or for the investigated peptides. Small NOS-immunolabeled cells belonged to the catecholamine-containing chromaffin cell population and costored VIP, but were distinct from the somatostatin- or neuropeptide Y- immunostained chromaffin subpopulations. The localization of NOS in distinct structural components of the human adrenal medulla indicates that NO is produced in different cell types and may reflect a differential role of this messenger system in autonomic control of adrenal gland function.
Heym
C
C
Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Colombo-Benckmann
M
M
Mayer
B
B
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D000328:Adult; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases