Skip to main content
Log in

Evidence for the coexistence of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide at the subcellular level in neuroepithelial bodies in the lung of a marsupial, Isoodon macrourus

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The coexistence of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in neuroepithelial bodies of the bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus, has been examined using immunocytochemistry at the light- and electronmicroscope levels. The avidin-biotin technique of antigen localisation was used initially to identify serotonin-like and CGRP-like immunoreactivity (-LI). Serotonin-LI and CGRP-LI were found in neuroepithelial cells in the lungs of 30-day-old bandicoots. CGRP-LI could also be demonstrated in nerve fibres associated with some neuroepithelial bodies. The protein A-gold technique of antigen localisation was used to label neuroepithelial cells and nerve fibres at the subcellular level. Serotonin-LI and CGRP-LI were observed in the same dense-cored vesicles of most neuroepithelial cells; however, some neuroepithelial cells were shown to possess serotonin-LI without CGRP-LI. Nerve fibres immediately adjacent to neuroepithelial bodies exhibited mainly CGRP-LI. These results show that serotonin-LI and CGRP-LI are present in neuroepithelial cells of the bandicoot in the same secretory vesicles. This pattern of co-localisation may reflect co-ordinated or synergistic actions of these two neuroactive substances.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cho T, Chan W, Cutz E (1989) Distribution and frequency of neuro-epithelial bodies in post-natal rabbit lung: quantitative study with monoclonal antibody against serotonin. Cell Tissue Res 255:353–362

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cutz E, Yegar H, Wong V, Bienkowski E, Chan W (1985) In vitro characteristics cells isolated from rabbit fetal lung. Lab Invest 53:672–685

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dey RD, Hoffpauir JM (1986) Ultrastructural colocalization of the bioactive mediators 5-hydroxytryptamine and bombesin in endocrine cells of human fetal airways. Cell Tissue Res 246:119–124

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanko J, Hardebo JE, Kahrstron J, Owman C, Sundler F (1985) Calcitonin gene-related peptide is present in mammalian cerebrovascular nerve fibres and dilates pial and peripheral arteries. Neurosci Lett 57:91–95

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes RL (1962) Role of the corpus luteum in marsupial reproduction. Nature 194:890–891

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson GD, Nogueira Araujo GM de C (1981) A simple method of reducing the fading of immunofluorescence during microscopy. J Immunol Methods 43:349–350

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keith RM, Ekman R (1988) Calcitonin gene-related peptide in hamster lung and its coexistence with serotonin: a chemical and immunocytochemical study. Regul Pept 22:315–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauweryns JM, Cokelaere M (1973) Hypoxia-sensitive neuro-epithelial bodies Intrapulmonary secretory neuroreceptors, modulated by the CNS. Z Zellforsch 145:521–540

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lauweryns JM, Van Ranst L (1987) Calcitonin gene related peptide immunoreactivity in rat lung: light and electron microscopic study. Thorax 42:183–189

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lauweryns JM, Cokelaere M, Theunynck P (1972) Neuro-epithelial bodies in the respiratory mucosa of various mammals. A light optical, histochemical and ultrastructural investigation. Z Zellforsch 135:569–592

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lauweryns JM, Bock V de, Verhofstad AAJ, Steinbusch HWM (1982) Immunohistochemical localisation of serotonin in intrapulmonary neuroepithelial bodies. Cell Tissue Res 226:215–223

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lauweryns JM, Van Ranst L, Verhofstad AAJ (1986) Ultrastructural localisation of serotonin in the intrapulmonary neuroepithelial bodies of neonatal rabbits by use of immuno-electron microscopy. Cell Tissue Res 243:455–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyne AG (1974) Gestation period and birth in the marsupial Isoodon macrourus. Aust J Zool 22:303–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JBD, Cuss FMC, Mulderry PK, Ghatei MA, Springall DR, Cadieux A, Bloom SR, Polak JM, Barnes PJ (1987) Calcitonin gene-related peptide is localised to human airway nerves and potently constricts human airway smooth muscle. Br J Pharmacol 91:95–101

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers DC (1989) Phylogenetic aspects of the neuroepithelial bodies. Arch Histol Cytol 52 [Suppl]:397–402

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers DC, Haller CJ (1978) Innervation and cytochemistry of the neuroepithelial bodies in the ciliated epithelium of the toad lung (Bufo marinus). Cell Tissue Res 195:395–410

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheuermann DW (1987) Morphology and cytochemistry of the endocrine epithelial system in the lung. Int Rev Cytol 106:35–88

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheuermann DW, De Groodt-Lasseel MHA, Stilman C, Meisters ML (1983) A correlative light-, fluorescence- and electron-microscopic study of neuroepithelial bodies in the lung of the red-eared turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans. Cell Tissue Res 234:249–269

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheuermann DW, Timmermans JP, Adriaensen D, De Groodt-Lasseel MHA (1987) Immunoreactivity for calcitonin gene-related peptide in neuroepithelial bodies of the newborn cat. Cell Tissue Res 249:337–340

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slot JW, Geuze HJ (1985) A new method of preparing gold probes for multiple-labelling cytochemistry. Eur J Cell Biol 38:87–93

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sonstegard KS, Mailman RB, Cheek JM, Tomlin TE, DiAugustine RP (1982) Morphological and cytochemical characterization of neuroepithelial bodies in fetal rabbit lung. I. Studies of isolated neuroepithelial bodies. Exp Lung Res 3:349–377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stempak JG, Ward RT (1964) An improved staining method for electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 22:697–701

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Uddman R, Lutz A, Sundler F (1985) Occurrence and distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the mammalian respiratory tract and middle ear. Cell Tissue Res 241:551–555

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wada C, Hashimoto C, Kameya T, Yamaguchi K, Ono M (1988) Developmentally regulated expression of the calcitonin gene related peptide CGRP in rat lung endocrine cells. Virchows Arch [B] 55:217–223

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haller, C.J. Evidence for the coexistence of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide at the subcellular level in neuroepithelial bodies in the lung of a marsupial, Isoodon macrourus . Cell Tissue Res. 270, 199–203 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381894

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381894

Key words

Navigation