Immunocytochemical expression of protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 in the cat bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine cells and nerves.
Variously fixed, wax-embedded lung and gastrointestinal serial tissue sections from newborn to adult cats were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Grimelius' silver, and immunohistochemical techniques using antisera to protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, a neuron-specific protein under strong evolutionary constraints. PGP 9.5 is revealed as a pan-neuroendocrine marker useful for tracing the pulmonary diffuse neuroendocrine system (PDNES) and studying the relationships between neuronal and neuroendocrine elements at various stages of life. Its occurrence is also compared in the pulmonary and the gastrointestinal tract. In spite of a close resemblance to already described neuroepithelial bodies (NEB) of other mammals, cat NEB feature typical constitutional and distributional difference, illustrating interspecies differences. The number of PGP 9.5 immunopositive pulmonary neuroendocrine cells declines gradually after 3 weeks and throughout adult life. Immunoreactivity in neuronal elements is lost after 1 week of age. In gastrointestinal tissues, only neuronal elements immunostain, suggesting functional variations or a separate embryological origin for enteroendocrine cells.
Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Faculteit Geneeskunde, Laboratorium voor Histopathologie, Belgium.
J M
JM
Lauweryns
K A
KA
Seldeslagh
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase