title: PACAP in the adrenal gland--relationship with choline acetyltransferase, enkephalin and chromaffin cells and effects of immunological sympathectomy.
abstract: Using indirect immunohistochemistry and immunological sympathectomy pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) was studied in the adult rat adrenal gland. All PACAP-positive fibres contained choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-LI and were found in high numbers among noradrenaline chromaffin cells, whereas enkephalin (ENK)/ChAT-immunoreactive (IR) fibres predominantly innervated adrenaline chromaffin cells. After immunological sympathectomy no PACAP-, ChAT- or ENK-IR fibres remained, strongly suggesting a preganglionic origin. A small number of PACAP-IR fibres was also observed in the subcapsular regions both in controls and in sympathectomized animals, presumably representing sensory fibres. These results define a subpopulation of PACAP-containing cholinergic preganglionic fibres in the adult rat adrenal medulla lacking ENK and innervating noradrenaline chromaffin cells. PACAP was also expressed in a few adrenaline chromaffin cells after immunological removal of the preganglionic innervation, suggesting an additional, hormonal role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holgert
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holmberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hannibal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fahrenkrug
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brimijoin
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hökfelt
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001339:Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013562:Sympathectomy
chemical_list: C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D004745:Enkephalins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase