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Hypoxia-sensitive neuro-epithelial bodies intrapulmonary secretory neuroreceptors, modulated by the CNS

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Summary

In an attempt to further our knowledge about the structure and function of the recently identified intrapulmonary Neuro-epithelial Bodies (NEB's) (Lauweryns et al., 1972a, 1972b), lungs of 84 neonatal rabbits and 6 neonatal mice were studied along four different lines of investigation. Several routine and silver staining methods, Falck's fluorescent amine technic and histochemical and electron microscopical techniques were performed.

1. In order to test the probable chemoreceptor function of the NEB's, animals were exposed to hypoxia. Under such circumstances, the corpuscular cells of the NEB's secrete their dense-cored, serotonin-containing vesicles at their basal vascular pole. 2. After reserpine pretreatment, the NEB's of otherwise normal animals reveal a distinct amine depletion, the corpuscular cells exhibiting a decreased yellow fluorescence and ultrastructurally a clearing up of their dense-cored vesicles. 3. Studied on serial sections with the electron microscope, various types of morphologically afferent-like and efferent-like nerve endings, making contact as well with the corpuscular cells as amongst themselves have been detailed. 4. Cytochemically the corpuscular cells react positively with alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, acetylcholinesterase and Solcia's lead hematoxylin stain for endocrine cells producing polypeptides and amines.

It is proposed that the NEB's provide an intrapulmonary, hypoxia-sensitive neuro(chemo-) receptor system in addition to the well established central and peripheral (e.g. carotid body) chemoreceptors. They contain and secrete serotonin and probably also related amines or peptides, which could influence the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response. According to classic morphologic criteria, they possess a dual innervation, both afferent and efferent.

Various other possible functions of the NEB's in normal and diseased lungs are briefly proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Histopathology, Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven School of Medicine, Leuven, Belgium

    Joseph M. Lauweryns & Marnix Cokelaere

  2. 15, Beukenlaan, B-3030, Heverlee, Belgium

    Joseph M. Lauweryns

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  1. Joseph M. Lauweryns
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  2. Marnix Cokelaere
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This study has been supported by a grant from “The Council for Tobacco Research — U.S.A.” and the “Nationaal Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek — Belgium”. We thank P. Theunynck for performing some of the histochemical studies, B. Van Rijkel, B. Emanuel and R. Renwart for technical, G. Pison and St. Ons for photographical and N. Tyberghien for secretarial assistance.

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Lauweryns, J.M., Cokelaere, M. Hypoxia-sensitive neuro-epithelial bodies intrapulmonary secretory neuroreceptors, modulated by the CNS. Z.Zellforsch 145, 521–540 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306722

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