Immunocytochemical localization of metabotropic (mGluR2/3 and mGluR4a) and ionotropic (GluR2/3) glutamate receptors in adrenal medullary ganglion cells

Histol Histopathol. 2006 Feb;21(2):141-7. doi: 10.14670/HH-21.141.

Abstract

The localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors of groups II (mGluR2/3) and III (mGluR4a) and the subunits 2 and 3 of alfa-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluR2/3) was investigated with immunocytochemical methods in the rat adrenal gland. MGluR2/3, mGluR4a and GluR2/3 immunoreactivities were observed in large-sized, centrally located type I adrenal medullary ganglion neurons. Furthermore, the small-sized type II adrenal ganglion neurons identified by their immunoreactivity to brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS), also expressed mGluR2/3, mGluR4a and GluR2/3. These cells were disposed in the peripheral portion of the adrenal medulla. None of the type I neurons were positively labeled for bNOS. These morphological observations suggest that activation of glutamate receptors in ganglion neurons may be instrumental in the control of adrenal endocrine systems as well as blood regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Medulla / chemistry*
  • Adrenal Medulla / cytology
  • Adrenal Medulla / innervation
  • Animals
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Ganglia / chemistry*
  • Ganglia / cytology
  • Ganglia / physiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neurons / chemistry
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, AMPA / analysis*
  • Receptors, AMPA / physiology
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / analysis*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 3
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 2
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 3
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 4