Immunohistochemical localization of neurotensin in a subpopulation of noradrenergic chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland of the flat snake (Waglerophis merremii).
The distribution of neurotensin (NT)-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the adrenal gland of the snake Waglerophis merremii has been examined immunohistochemically. Double staining, combining NT with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies and TH with CGRP antibodies, was also carried out. Results were analyzed by conventional and by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Immunostaining revealed a subpopulation of chromaffin cells containing NT-LI within the dorsal noradrenergic ribbon. In addition, there were some NT-immunoreactive (IR) fibers in this region. NT immunoreactivity was not present within adrenergic chromaffin cells or in cortical tissue. Double staining revealed CGRP-IR fibers innervating most of the chromaffin adrenergic cells. Within the dorsal noradrenergic ribbon, two groups of chromaffin TH-IR cells were present, one receiving a dense CGRP-IR innervation and another without contact with CGRP-IR terminals. The latter chromaffin cells displayed NT-LI. These results show, for the first time, the presence of a neuropeptide in chromaffin noradrenergic cells of a reptilian adrenal gland and open up the possibility that other peptides may also be present in these cells.
Orezzoli
A A
AA
Instituto de Neurobiología, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
González Nicolini
V
V
Bilinski
M
M
Villar
M J
MJ
Hökfelt
T
T
Tramezzani
J H
JH
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000502:physiology; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D012911:Snakes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D009496:Neurotensin; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D009638:Norepinephrine