title: Distribution of neurotrophin and TrK receptor-like immunoreactivity in the adrenal gland of birds.
abstract: The occurrence and localization of neurotrophins and their specific TrK receptor-like proteins in the adrenal gland of chicken, duck and ostrich were examined by immunohistochemical methods. In all species studied NGF-, TrK A- and TrK C-like immunoreactivity was observed in neurons and fibers of adrenal ganglia. Thin TrK A- and TrK C-like immunoreactive fibers were also observed among chromaffin cells. NT-3-like immunoreactivity was detected in chromaffin cells as revealed by the double immunolabelings NT-3/chromogranin A and NT-3/DbetaH. The interrenal tissue never showed IR to any neurotrophins and TrK tested, and none of the adrenal structures displayed immunoreactivity to BDNF and TrK B. Double immunolabelings NGF/TrK A, NGF/TrK C and TrK A/TrK C showed colocalization in some neurons and fibers in adrenal ganglia. In adrenal glands of the species studied, the distribution of neurotrophins and TrK receptors could suggest an involvement of NT-3 on neuronal populations innervating adrenal ganglia by means of its high affinity receptor TrK C and low affinity receptor TrK A. In addition, NGF could be utilized by neuronal populations of adrenal ganglia through its preferential receptor TrK A by an autocrine or paracrine modality of action.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Strutture, Funzioni e Tecnologie Biologiche, Università di Napoli " Federico II," Via F. Delpino,1 I-80137 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arcamone
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucini
authors.forename: Lucianna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maruccio
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castaldo
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Girolamo
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D004372:Ducks / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D010784:Photomicrography; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000032:analysis; D020812:Receptor, trkC / Q000032:analysis; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D020812:Receptor, trkC