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Cholinergic Innervation of Balt (Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue) in Rat

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Abstract

The presence and distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cholineacetyl transferase activities (Chat) were examined in the bronchusassociated lymphoid tissue (BALT) of juvenile, adult and old rats. Histoenzymatic and immunochemical methods were used in association with quantitative analysis of images and statistical analysis of the data. Our results showed that both AChE and Chat activities were primarily confined to the BALT lymphoid cells. Only a low level of activity was observed in the sub-pleural parenchyma of the lung and in the wall of the bronchus. Moreover, both AChE and Chat activities in the BALT are specifically located in the lymphoid cells. Histoenzymatic staining and corresponding values of quantitative analysis of images confirmed morphological and immunochemical results. Finally, the intensity of histoenzymatic staining for AChE and of immunochemical staining for Chat in BALT of rats strongly decreases with age. On the basis of our results we hypothesize that both AChE and Chat activities may play an important role in BALT and both these enzymes undergo specific age-related changes.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the University of Rome ‹La Sapienza› (Dip. 02.043.14). The authors are greatly indebted to Drs. B. Nagar and V. Malinovska for their suggestions and criticism. The Medline, Internet and other information consulting services of Drs. M. Cameroni and Paolo Sagnelli are gratefully acknowledged. The technical assistance of Mr. D. Caporuscio, the photographic service of Mr. G. Leoncini, the excellent secretarial work of Mrs. S. Casamento and the kind help of Patrick Rogers in the revision of the English language are also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    C. Cavallotti & F. M. Tranquilli Leali

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    G. F. Tonnarini

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  1. C. Cavallotti
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  2. G. F. Tonnarini
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  3. F. M. Tranquilli Leali
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Correspondence to C. Cavallotti.

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Cavallotti, C., Tonnarini, G. & Tranquilli Leali, F. Cholinergic Innervation of Balt (Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue) in Rat . Lung 182, 27–35 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-003-1042-x

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