title: Identification of orexins and cognate receptors in the lacrimal gland of sheep.
abstract: The aim of the present work was to study, by means of immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques, the presence and distribution of immunopositivity for orexin A and B (OXA and OXB) and orexin type 1 and 2 receptors (OX(1)R and OX(2)R) in the lacrimal gland of sheep as well as the gene expressions for prepro-orexin (PPOX) and cognate receptors. In serial sections, positive staining for OXA and OXB were localized in the same nervous fibers within the connective tissue septa. Positive staining for OX(1)R was evidenced in the wall of small arteries while that for OX(2)R was observed in the secretory portion of the acinar gland cells with a characteristic localization in the apical cytoplasm. RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of transcripts for PPOX, OX(1)R and OX(2)R in the sheep lacrimal gland; the gene expression of OX(1)R was two-fold greater (p<0.01) than that of OX(2)R. Taken together the present findings raise intriguing questions on the potential role of the orexinergic system in the regulation of lacrimal gland functions that require further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biopatologiche ed Igiene delle Produzioni Animali ed Alimentari, Sezione di Anatomia Veterinaria, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy. cecilia.dallaglio@unipg.it
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dall'aglio
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mercati
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maranesi
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boiti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D000068797:Orexins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide