Intrinsic choroidal neurons in the duck eye express galanin.
Recently, it has been shown that the choroid of the duck eye harbours approximately 1,000 intrinsic choroidal neurons positive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Their connections and functional significance are largely unknown. This study was performed to establish a typical chemical code for these neurons and to define their targets by using immunocytochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Almost all intrinsic choroidal neurons coexpressed galanin (GAL), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)/NADPH-diaphorase. A few stained for GAL and/or nNOS only. Among extrinsic ganglia, GAL/VIP/nNOS coexpressing neurons were only found in the pterygopalatine ganglion where they accounted for approximately 30% of the neuronal population. Thus, GAL/VIP/nNOS-positive nerve fibres around branches of the ciliary artery and within the nonvascular smooth muscle stroma of the choroid may originate mainly from intrinsic neurons and to some extent in a subpopulation of pterygopalatine ganglionic neurons exhibiting the same chemical coding. Close contacts of GAL-positive fibres upon intrinsic choroidal neurons may indicate reciprocal connections between them. Thus, intrinsic choroidal neurons may represent peripherally displaced pterygopalatine ganglion neurons forming a local network for regulation of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle tone in the duck choroid. They may be integrated in the neuronal circuitry controlling intraocular pressure, choroidal thickness, accommodation, and axial bulbus length.
Anatomisches Institut I, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. Falk.Schroedl@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de
F
F
Schrödl
A
A
Brehmer
W L
WL
Neuhuber
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D015415:Biomarkers; D002829:Choroid / Q000166:cytology*; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D004372:Ducks / Q000502:physiology*; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D019004:Galanin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase