title: New insights on Saccus vasculosus evolution: a developmental and immunohistochemical study in elasmobranchs.
abstract: The saccus vasculosus (SV) is a circumventricular organ of the hypothalamus of many jawed fishes whose functions have not yet been clarified. It is a vascularized neuroepithelium that consists of coronet cells, cerebrospinal fluid-contacting (CSF-c) neurons and supporting cells. To assess the organization, development and evolution of the SV, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the neuronal markers gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD; the GABA synthesizing enzyme), neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurophysin II (NPH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the rate-limiting catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme) and serotonin (5-HT), were investigated by immunohistochemistry in developing and adult sharks. Coronet cells showed GFAP immunoreactivity from embryos at stage 31 to adults, indicating a glial nature. GABAergic CSF-c neurons were evidenced just when the primordium of the SV becomes detectable (at stage 29). Double immunolabeling revealed colocalization of NPY and GAD in these cells. Some CSF-c cells showed TH immunoreactivity in postembryonic stages. Saccofugal GABAergic fibers formed a defined SV tract from the stage 30 and scattered neurosecretory (NPH-immunoreactive) and monoaminergic (5-HT- and TH-immunoreactive) saccopetal fibers were first detected at stages 31 and 32, respectively. The early differentiation of GABAergic neurons and the presence of a conspicuous GABAergic saccofugal system are shared by elasmobranch and teleosts (trout), suggesting that GABA plays a key function in the SV circuitry. Monoaminergic structures have not been reported in the SV of bony fishes, and were probably acquired secondarily in sharks. The existence of saccopetal monoaminergic and neurosecretory fibers reveals reciprocal connections between the SV and hypothalamic structures which have not been previously detected in teleosts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Ecology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sueiro
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferreiro
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Molist
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Adrio
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anadón
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Moldes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018940:Elasmobranchii / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D009489:Neurosecretion / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D012754:Sharks / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001679:Biogenic Amines; D015415:Biomarkers; D004798:Enzymes; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents