Hypotension preferentially induces c-fos immunoreactivity in supraoptic vasopressin neurons

Localization of changes in immediate early genes in brain in relation to hydromineral balance: intravenous angiotensin II

Immediate early genes, detected by Fos- and Jun-like immunoreactivity (FLI, JLI), were induced in discrete regions of the rat brain by intravenous infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) at dipsogenic doses. The regions included subfornical organ (SFO), organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), supraoptic nucleus (SON), and the magnocellular part of the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). These responses were sustained for up to 6 h of infusion. In SFO, FLI was induced preferentially in the posterior part, while JLI occurred in more central regions. Cerebroventricular (ICV) injection of the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT-1) antagonist, losartan potassium, completely prevented the FLI induced by Ang II in these brain regions. ICV injection of the Ang II type 2 receptor (AT-2) antagonist, PD 123319, did not reduce Ang II-induced FLI in SFO, OVLT and MnPO, but markedly attenuated the activation in SON and PVH. To determine whether SFO is the primary site for transduction of the circulating Ang II signal, electrolytic lesions were made in or rostral to the SFO. Rats with complete lesions showed a complete absence of Ang-induced FLI in SON and PVH. The data are discussed in terms of functional mapping of the brain regions activated by circulating Ang II and neural circuitry for water intake, including the possible role of AT-2 receptors in PVH and SON.

Colocalization of calbindin-D28k with vasopressin in hypothalamic cells of the rat: a double-labeling immunofluorescence study

By use of a double-labeling immunofluorescence method, we examined whether vasopressin-containing cells possess a calcium-binding protein, calbindin-D28k, in the hypothalamus of the rat. Subpopulations of vasopressin-containing cells varied in their ability to possess calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity in different regions. In the supraoptic nucleus, most vasopressin-immunoreactive cells were also stained for calbindin-D28k. By contrast, in the magnocellular part of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, all vasopressin-labeled cells lacked calbindin-D28k. In the suprachiasmatic nucleus, no calbindin-D28k was found in vasopressin-stained cells. This study shows a further characterization of vasopressin-containing cells of the rat hypothalamus.

Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the rat, mouse, cat and squirrel monkey spinal cord

The distribution of nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons was examined in the spinal cord of rats, mice, cats and squirrel monkeys at the light microscopic level. Some sections were processed for choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity. Double-labeling techniques were used to assess possible co-localization of nitric oxide synthase and choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the same spinal neurons. Nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons were concentrated in three fairly well-defined regions of the spinal cord of all species studied: (i) the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic and sacral segments, (ii) lamina X of all segments, and (iii) the superficial layers of the dorsal horn of all segments. A few nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons were scattered in the deeper laminae and the ventral horn. There were fewer nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in monkey spinal lamina X and dorsal horn than in similar locations of rodents and felines. Double-staining showed that not all choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons in the intermediate cell column and lamina X were nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive. In the ventral horn, choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons (presumed motoneurons) were nitric oxide synthase-negative. In addition to cell bodies, nitric oxide synthase-positive fibers were scattered in the dorsal, lateral and ventral horns of all species. Finally, punctate nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive fibers were seen traversing the dorsal, lateral and ventral white matter, and reaching the respective gray matter. The present study shows that, in spite of quantitative differences, the pattern of distribution of nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in the spinal cord was similar across the four species. The concentration of nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons in the autonomic nuclei and laminae I, II and X of all four species underscores a prominent role of these neurons in visceral and sensory functions.

Hemorrhage induces Fos immunoreactivity in rat medullary catecholaminergic neurons

In urethane anesthetized rats one hour after lowering the systolic blood pressure to 70-75 mmHg by withdrawing 3-4 ml of blood, Fos immunoreactivity (Fos-IR), confined to the cell nucleus, was detected bilaterally in numerous cells of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and ventrolateral medulla (VLM). A few Fos-IR neurons were observed in the lateral reticular nucleus, dorsal medullary reticular nucleus, spinal trigeminal nucleus, medial inferior olive, interfasciculus hypoglossi and paramedian rostral medulla. In sham-operated animals, a much smaller number of Fos-IR neurons were scattered in the NTS, VLM and other nuclei mentioned above. Double labeling with antisera to tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) showed that 60% of TH-positive neurons in the NTS contained Fos-IR, and 70-80% of TH-positive neurons in the caudal VLM and 50-60% of PMNT-positive neurons in the rostral VLM expressed Fos-IR. Only a few TH- or PNMT-positive neurons in the C2, C3 (paramedian rostral medulla) areas and within the medial longitudinal fasciculus were Fos-IR. About 40% of PNMT/Fos-IR neurons in the rostral VLM contained the retrograde tracer fluorogold, which was injected (< 1 microliter) into the white matter dorsolateral to the intermediolateral cell column of T2-T3 segments 2 to 3 days prior to hemorrhagic experiments. Very few TH-positive neurons in the caudal VLM contained fluorogold. Finally, clusters of Fos-IR neurons, which also labeled with antisera to choline acetyltransferase, were detected in the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord. The results indicate that during hemorrhage aminergic neurons in the caudal and rostral VLM and in the NTS are activated insofar as c-fos expression is concerned. As a corollary, the monoaminergic neurons in the medulla constitute an essential component in the ascending as well as descending reflex pathway involved in the adjustment of cardiovascular dynamics during hemorrhage.

Electrical stimulation of tooth pulp increases the expression of c-fos in the cat supraoptic nucleus but not in the paraventricular nucleus

Immunoreactivity to Fos protein was detected in the supraoptic (SON) and para-ventricular (PVN) nuclei of the cat using immunohistochemical methods. In the intact animal group, only a few Fos-positive neurons were observed in the PVN, but the SON did not contain any positive neurons. Intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal: 35 mg/kg) induced c-fos expression in the SON, but not in the PVN. Electrical stimulation of tooth pulp with an intensity that was 3 times the threshold of the jaw-opening reflex (200-600 microA) increased the number of Fos-positive neurons in the SON by up to 388% as compared with those of the Nembutal group, whereas the stimulation did not alter the number in the PVN. The increase was observed throughout the extent of the SON. In addition, morphine treatment (2 mg/kg, i. p.), 5 minutes before tooth pulp stimulation, considerably inhibited the increase in the SON. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups (intact, Nembutal, morphine) in the number of positive neurons in the PVN. These findings suggest that these hypothalamic nuclei have different functional roles and that the SON is involved in nociception and/or the consequent emotional and visceral reactions.

Nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in rat spinal cord

Immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase (NOS-IR) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT-IR) was detected in the adult rat spinal cord using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Intensely stained NOS-positive neurons with cell processes were observed in the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic and sacral segments and around the central canal of all segments. These areas also contained ChAT-IR neurons. A number of small- to medium-sized NOS-IR cells were noted in the superficial and deeper laminae throughout the entire cord. NOS-IR was not detected in the ventral horn motoneurons, which were, however, ChAT-IR. The results indicate that NOS-IR is present in autonomic preganglionic neurons and in selected neurons in the dorsal horn and lamina X, but appears to be absent in motoneurons.