Single cell quantitative immunocytochemistry of cyclic GMP in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat

NO Synthesis in Immune-Challenged Locust Hemocytes and Potential Signaling to the CNS

Simple Summary

Insects, in the same way as vertebrates, are exposed to a broad variety of pathogens but lack their adaptive immune system. Relying on their innate immune system, they respond to pathogens by phagocytosis, melanization, and the synthesis of antimicrobial or cytotoxic compounds. In this study, we evaluated the production of the cytotoxic gaseous radical nitric oxide (NO) in hemocytes, the immune cells of the model insect Locusta migratoria in response to various immune stimuli. Both sessile and circulating hemocytes responded to gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Streptococcus suis injection with a strong increase in NO production. In contrast, the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus elicited only a minor response. In addition, bacteria were encapsulated by hemocytes. Since NO is an important neurotransmitter, NO-producing hemocytes were tested on the locust central nervous system (CNS) in an embryo culture model. CNS neurons responded with a distinct increase in production of the second messenger, cGMP. This is indicative of the influence of the immune response on the CNS. Our findings show that NO production in hemocytes and capsule formation need complex stimuli and contribute to the understanding of neuroimmune interactions in insects.

Abstract

Similar to vertebrates, insects are exposed to a broad variety of pathogens. The innate insect immune system provides several response mechanisms such as phagocytosis, melanization, and the synthesis of antimicrobial or cytotoxic compounds. The cytotoxic nitric oxide (NO), which is also a neurotransmitter, is involved in the response to bacterial infections in various insects but has rarely been shown to be actually produced in hemocytes. We quantified the NO production in hemocytes of Locusta migratoria challenged with diverse immune stimuli by immunolabeling the by-product of NO synthesis, citrulline. Whereas in untreated adult locusts less than 5% of circulating hemocytes were citrulline-positive, the proportion rose to over 40% after 24 hours post injection of heat-inactivated bacteria. Hemocytes surrounded and melanized bacteria in locust nymphs by forming capsules. Such sessile hemocytes also produced NO. As in other insect species, activated hemocytes were found dorsally, close to the heart. In addition, we frequently observed citrulline-positive hemocytes and capsules near the ventral nerve cord. Neurites in the CNS of sterile locust embryos responded with elevation of the second messenger cGMP after contact with purified adult NO-producing hemocytes as revealed by immunofluorescence. We suggest that hemocytes can mediate a response in the CNS of an infected animal via the NO/cGMP signaling pathway.

Captivity-induced metabolic programming in an endangered felid: implications for species conservation

Reintroduction of captive-bred individuals into the wild is an important conservation activity. However, environmental conditions can influence developmental programming, potentially causing metabolic disorders in adults. These effects are investigated here for the first time in an endangered species. Using body weight and feed intake data for Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) (n = 22), we compared the growth of captive versus wild born and/or reared individuals. Captive-born individuals gained weight as a function of calorie intake, unlike wild-born individuals. When compared with females reared in the wild, captive-reared females achieved a larger body size, without evidence of obesity. Captivity-associated changes to metabolic programming may compromise survival in the wild if an increased body size incurs a greater energy requirement. Large body size may also confer a competitive advantage over smaller, wild-born individuals, disrupting the social organisation of existing wild populations, and inferring long-term implications for the phenotypic composition of wild populations.

A preliminary examination of the role of NFAT 3 in human skin, cultured keratocytes and dermal fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Ciclosporin A (CsA) is widely utilized for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.The therapeutic effects of CsA are thought to be mediated via its immunosuppressive action on infiltrating lymphocytes in skin lesions. CsA and tacrolimus block T cell activation by inhibiting the phosphatase calcineurin and preventing translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of the transcription factor Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT).

METHODS

RT-PCR and Western Analysis were used to investigate the presence of NFAT-3 mRNA and protein in human keratocytes. Tissue culture of human keratocytes and immunostaining of cells on coverslips and confocal microscopy were used to assess the degree of nuclear localisation of NFAT-3 in cultured cells. Keratome biopsies were taken from patients with psoriasis (lesional and non-lesional skin) and normal skin and immunohistochemistry was used to assess the NFAT-3 localisation in these biopsies using a well characterized anti-NFAT-3 antibody.

RESULTS

The NFAT-3 mRNA and protein expression was demonstrated using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression of NFAT-3 in human keratocytes and response to different agonists provides perhaps a unique opportunity to examine the regulation, subcellular localization and kinetics of translocation of different NFATs in primary cultured human cells. As with NFAT 1, NFAT 2 and recently NFAT 5, differentiation-promoting agents that increase intracellular calcium concentration induced nuclear translocation of NFAT-3 in cultured keratocytes but with different kinetics.

CONCLUSION

These data provide the first evidence of that NFAT-3 is expressed in normal skin, psoriasis and that NFAT-3 functionally active in human keratocytes and that nuclear translocation of NFAT-3 in human skin cells has different kinetics than NFAT 1 suggesting that NFAT-3 may play an important role in regulation of keratocytes proliferation and differentiation at a different stage. Inhibition of this pathway in human epidermal keratocytes many account, in part for the therapeutic effects of CsA and tacrolimus in skin disorders such as psoriasis.

Distribution of cGMP in guinea pig autonomic ganglia after stimulation with sodium nitroprusside

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intercellular messenger molecule in the nervous system and exerts its action in many regions by generating cyclic GMP (cGMP) via soluble guanylyl cyclase. In this study, on the male guinea pig, we have analyzed the localization of cGMP in some autonomic ganglia with immunohistochemistry after stimulation with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as NO donor, and made correlations with the NO synthesizing enzyme NO synthase (NOS), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and some neuropeptides. The putative target neurons for NO were examined in the anterior pelvic ganglia (APGs), as well as some pre- and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia. The results show that cGMP-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the APG was in most cases observed in the TH-positive, NOS-negative neuron population after SNP stimulation, whereas the NOS-expressing cholinergic population mostly lacked detectable cGMP-LI. In the pre- and paravertebral ganglia, SNP stimulation increased cGMP levels to a much lesser extent than in the APGs. cGMP was also observed in blood vessels, in the ganglion capsule, and in some cases. possibly in satellite cells. We propose, as one alternative, that there is a functional, intraganglionic regulatory loop between the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the APG, using the NO/cGMP pathway.

No colocalization of immunoreactivities for VIP and neuronal NOS, and a differential relation to cGMP-immunoreactivity in bovine penile smooth muscle

The distribution of immunoreactivity (IR) for the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the bovine retractor penis muscle (RP) and penile artery (PA) was studied by using two different methods. The distribution of these immunoreactivities was also compared with that of the immunoreactivity for cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In both tissues the nerve fibers and terminals immunoreactive for VIP had a distribution that was completely different from that of the nerve fibers and terminals immunoreactive for nNOS. This contrasts with the previous observations in penile smooth muscle of other species. In the RP, as well as in the PA, many of the VIP-IR fibers were also immunoreactive for neurofilaments (NF), whereas the nNOS-IR fibers were consistently devoid of NF-IR. Stimulation with sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, considerably increased cGMP-IR in the smooth muscle cells in both RP and PA, and in several nerve fibers in PA. Many of these cGMP-IR nerve fibers exhibited nNOS-IR, whereas none of them was immunoreactive for VIP. Our results suggest that the degree of coexistence of VIP-IR and nNOS-IR in the nerve fibers and terminals innervating penile smooth muscle show wide species differences. They also suggest that the mechanisms by which VIP could be involved in neurogenic penile erection may vary between species.

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide-receptive, cyclic GMP-producing structures in the rat brain

The structures capable of synthesizing cyclic GMP in response to nitric oxide in the rat brain were compared relative to the anatomical localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. In order to do this, we used brain slices incubated in vitro, where cyclic GMP-synthesis was stimulated using sodium nitroprusside as a nitric oxide-donor compound, in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine. Nitric oxide-stimulated cyclic GMP synthesis was found in cells and fibers, but was especially prominent in varicose fibers throughout the rat brain. Fibers containing the nitric oxide-stimulated cyclic GMP production were present in virtually every area of the rat brain although there were large regional variations in the density of the fiber networks. When compared with the localization of nitric oxide synthase, it was observed that although nitric oxide-responsive and the nitric oxide-producing structures were found in similar locations in general this distribution was complementary. Only occasionally was nitric oxide-mediated cyclic GMP synthesis observed in structures which also contained nitric oxide synthase. We conclude that the nitric oxide-responsive soluble guanylyl cyclase and nitric oxide synthase are usually juxtaposed at very short distances in the rat brain. These findings very strongly support the proposed role of nitric oxide as an endogenous activator of the soluble guanylyl cyclase in the central nervous system and convincingly demonstrate the presence of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signal transduction pathway in virtually every area of the rat brain.

Colchicine differentially induces the expressions of nitric oxide synthases in central and peripheral catecholaminergic neurons

This study was aimed at elucidating differences in nerve injury induced expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) between the peripheral and central catecholaminergic neurons. Colchicine was used to disrupt chemically the neuronal cytoskeletal integrity. A marked increase in the expression of neuronal NOS-IR and NADPH-diaphorase activity, a marker of neuronal NOS (nNOS), was seen in distinct populations of post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion after intraganglionic colchicine injection. Similarly, immunoreactivity for the inducible form of NOS (iNOS) was induced in some sympathetic neuron somata. However, this immunoreactivity did not coincide with nNOS-IR. In contrast to the sympathetic neurons, hypothalamic arcuate and periventricular dopaminergic neurons did not show NOS-IR or NADPH-DA either in intact animals or in animals treated with an intracerebroventricular injection of colchicine. Immunoreactivity for the inducible form of NOS revealed no neuronal staining in the hypothalamic neurons in either group, while a large number of glia-resembling cells around the third ventricle showed slight expression of iNOS-IR. The present results show that expression of both neuronal and inducible forms of NOS may be induced by colchicine in some catecholaminergic neurons. It is suggested that these inductions are specific to certain catecholaminergic neuronal systems, like the sympathetic neurons, rather than a general property of catecholaminergic neurons.

Nitric oxide synthase, choline acetyltransferase, catecholamine enzymes and neuropeptides and their colocalization in the anterior pelvic ganglion, the inferior mesenteric ganglion and the hypogastric nerve of the male guinea pig

By the indirect immunofluorescence method, the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like immunoreactivity (LI) and its possible colocalization with neuropeptide immunoreactivities, with two enzymes for the catecholamine synthesis pathway, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), as well as the enzyme for the acetylcholine synthesis pathway, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were studied in the anterior pelvic ganglion (APG), the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) and the hypogastric nerve in the male guinea pig. The analyses were performed on tissues from intact animals, as well as after compression/ligation or cut of the hypogastric nerve. In some cases the colonic nerves were also cut. Analysis of the APG showed two main neuronal cell populations, one group containing NOS localized in the caudal part of the APG and one TH-positive group lacking NOS in its cranial part. The majority of the NOS-positive neurons contained ChAT-LI. Some NOS-positive cells did not contain detectable ChAT, but all ChAT-positive cells contained NOS. NOS neurons often contained peptides, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), somatostatin (SOM) and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Some NOS cells expressed DBH, but never TH. The second cell group, characterized by absence of NOS, contained TH, mostly DBH and NPY and occasionally SOM and CGRP. Some TH-positive neurons lacked DBH. In the IMG, the NOS-LI was principally in nerve fibers, which were of two types, one consisting of strongly immunoreactive, coarse, varicose fibers with a patchy distribution, the other one forming fine, varicose, weakly immunoreactive fibers with a more general distribution. In the coarse networks, NOS-LI coexisted with VIP- and DYN-LI and the fibers surrounded mainly the SOM-containing noradrenergic principal ganglion cells. A network of ChAT-positive, often NOS-containing nerve fibers, surrounded the principal neurons. Occasional neuronal cell bodies in the IMG contained both NOS- and ChAT-LI. Accumulation of NOS was observed, both caudal and cranial, to a crush of the hypogastric nerve. VIP accumulated mainly on the caudal side and often coexisted with NOS. NPY accumulated on both sides of the crush, but mainly on the cranial side, and ENK was exclusively on the cranial side. Neither peptide coexisted with NOS. Both substance P (SP) and CGRP showed the strongest accumulation on the cranial side, possibly partly colocalized with NOS. It is concluded that the APG in the male guinea-pig consists of two major complementary neuron populations, the cholinergic neurons always containing NOS and the noradrenergic neurons containing TH and DBH. Some NOS neurons lacked ChAT and could represent truly non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurons. In addition, there may be a small dopaminergic neuron population, that is containing TH but lacking DBH. The cholinergic NOS neurons contain varying combinations of peptides. The noradrenergic population often contained NPY and occasionally SOM and CGRP. It is suggested that NO may interact with a number of other messenger molecules to play a role both within the APG and IMG and also in the projection areas of the APG.

The nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway and synaptic plasticity in the rat superior cervical ganglion

1. We have investigated the possibility that nitric oxide (NO) and soluble guanylyl cyclase, an enzyme that synthesizes guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in response to NO, contributes to plasticity of synaptic transmission in the rat isolated superior cervical ganglion (SCG). 2. Exposure of ganglia to the NO donor, nitroprusside, caused a concentration-dependent accumulation of cyclic GMP which was augmented in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The compound, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a selective inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, completely blocked this cyclic GMP response. 3. As assessed by extracellular recording, nitroprusside (100 microM) and another NO donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (30 microM) increased the efficacy of ganglionic synaptic transmission in response to electrical stimulation of the preganglionic nerve, an effect that was reversible and which could be replicated by the cyclic GMP analogue, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. Ganglionic depolarizations resulting from stimulation of nicotinic receptors with carbachol were not increased by nitroprusside. The potentiating actions of the NO donors on synaptic transmission, but not that of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP, were inhibited by ODQ. 4. Brief tetanic stimulation of the preganglionic nerve resulted in a long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission that was unaffected by ODQ, either in the absence or presence of the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 100 microM). A lack of influence of L-NOARG was confirmed in intracellular recordings of LTP of the excitatory postsynaptic potential. Furthermore, under conditions where tetanically-induced LTP was saturated, nitroprusside was still able to potentiate synaptic transmission, as judged from extracellular recording. 5. We conclude that NO is capable of potentiating ganglionic neurotransmission and this effect is mediated through the stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and the accumulation of cyclic GMP. However, this potentiation is distinct from LTP of nicotinic synaptic transmission, in which neither NO nor soluble guanylyl cyclase appear to participate.

Nitric oxide release and long term potentiation at synapses in autonomic ganglia

1. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission in autonomic ganglia is reviewed, together with the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in this process. 2. Calcium levels in preganglionic nerve terminals are elevated during at least the induction phase of LTP following a tetanus as well as during LTP induced by transmitter substances acting on the nerve terminals. Of the large number of calcium-dependent processes in the nerve terminal that might affect transmitter release, only calcium-calmodulin has been shown to be important in both the induction and maintenance of LTP. 3. The possibility that there is a decrease in the open time of nerve-terminal potassium channels following a tetanus, leading to an increase in duration of the terminal action potential and hence an increase in calcium influx and transmitter release is considered. There is little evidence for such an effect as yet for preganglionic nerve terminals. 4. Phosphorylation of potassium channels by cAMP-dependent protein kinase can lead to their inactivation with consequent action potential broadening in some systems. Exogenous cAMP enhances synaptic efficacy at preganglionic nerve terminals. Whether this occurs through an inactivation of potassium channels is not known. 5. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase is present in both sympathetic ganglia and the ciliary ganglia. NO increases synaptic efficacy in both ganglia. In at least the case of ciliary ganglion this is due to elevation of quantal secretion. 6. NO can in some conditions increase the terminal action potential duration in ciliary ganglia, probably through decrease in the Ic potassium current. There is evidence that this happens through cGMP modulating cAMP phosphodiesterases, thereby affecting cAMP phosphorylation of the Ic channel. 7. Blocking NO synthase markedly decreases LTP following a tetanus in the ciliary ganglion. The possibility is considered that NO is released from the terminal during a tetanus and through altering cAMP phosphorylation of Ic enhances transmitter release.

A new approach to the immunocytochemistry of cAMP. Initial characterization of antibodies against acrolein-fixed cAMP

A method is described to couple cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) to a carrier protein by means of acrolein. Antibodies against this conjugate were raised in mice. These antibodies proved to be highly specific for acrolein-fixed cAMP in a gelatin model system. Slices (300 microns in thickness) from rat cerebral cortex were incubated in vitro and the dopaminergic control of adenylate cyclase activity was drug-manipulated. This manipulation was visualized by application of the cAMP-antisera on cryostat sections of the acrolein fixed slices.

Distribution of NADPH-diaphorase activity in rat paravertebral, prevertebral and pelvic sympathetic ganglia

Paravertebral (superior cervical and stellate), prevertebral (coeliac-superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric) and pelvic (hypogastric) sympathetic ganglia of the rat were investigated by enzyme histochemistry to ascertain the distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-diaphorase) activity. In the paravertebral ganglia the majority of the sympathetic neuronal perikarya contained lightly and homogeneously distributed formazan reaction product but there was a range of staining intensities amongst the neuron population. In contrast, in the prevertebral ganglia, intense NADPH-diaphorase staining was present in certain neurons. Firstly, a population of neurons of the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex were surrounded by densely NADPH-diaphorase-positive 'baskets' of fibres and other stained fibres were seen in interstitial nerve bundles and in nerve trunks connected to the ganglion complex. Secondly, in both the inferior mesenteric ganglion and hypogastric ganglion there were many very intensely NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons. Stained dendritic and axonal processes emerged from these cell bodies. In both ganglia this population of neurons was smaller in size than the lightly stained ganglionic neurons and commonly had only one long (presumably axonal) process. The similarity of these highly NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons with previously described postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the hypogastric ganglion is discussed.

NADPH diaphorase in the spinal cord of rats

To identify spinal neurons that may synthesize nitric oxide, cells and fibers histochemically stained for NADPH diaphorase (a nitric oxide synthase) were studied in the spinal cord of rats. The histochemical reaction gave an image similar to the best Golgi impregnations, staining cells down to their finest processes. Transverse, horizontal, and parasagittal 50 and 100 microns sections were used to follow dendritic and axonal arborizations of stained neurons. Major cell groups were identified in the superficial dorsal horn and around the central canal (at all spinal levels), and in the intermediolateral cell column (at thoracic and sacral levels). Scattered positive cells were also found in deeper dorsal horn, ventral horn, and white matter. In some cases, axons of cells in the dorsal horn could be traced into the white matter; many of these cells resembled neurons projecting to various supraspinal targets. Stained cells in the intermediolateral column, which sent their axons into the ventral root, were presumed to be preganglionic autonomic neurons. Dense plexes of fibers were stained in laminae I and II and in the intermediolateral column. A large number of NADPH diaphorase-positive neurons in the spinal cord appear to be involved in visceral regulation. Fibers of the intermediolateral system had a special relationship with vasculature, suggesting that nitric oxide may help to couple neural activity with regional blood flow in the spinal cord. The abundance of NADPH diaphorase-positive neurons and fibers in the superficial dorsal horn suggests that nitric oxide may also be involved in spinal sensory processing.

Potentiation of nicotinic transmission in the rat superior cervical sympathetic ganglion: effects of cyclic GMP and nitric oxide generators

The efficacy of nicotinic transmission in the rat superior cervical ganglion in vitro (24-26 degrees C) was estimated by extracellular recording of the postganglionic compound action potential response to stimulation of the preganglionic nerve at a slow rate (one shock every 60 s). Atropine (2 microM) was included to block muscarinic transmission, and hexamethonium (200-250 microM) was used to produce a submaximal response sensitive to potentiation and inhibition of nicotinic transmission. Upon exposure to 1-100 microM 8-bromo-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), nicotinic transmission was potentiated by 6 +/- 1% (n = 4) to 89 +/- 5% (n = 5) in a dose-dependent manner. 8-Bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP, 10-100 microM) also potentiated nicotinic transmission (3.8 +/- 0.3% (n = 3) to 43 +/- 4% (n = 3)). However, 8-Br-cGMP was at least 2-fold more effective than 8-Br-cAMP. Sodium nitroprusside (0.1 microM to 1 mM) and sodium azide (0.1-100 microM) were used to stimulate the formation of endogenous cGMP52. Nicotinic transmission was potentiated by these substances also. The response was increased by 3.4 +/- 0.7% (n = 4) to 32 +/- 2% (n = 5) upon exposure to 0.1-100 microM sodium nitroprusside, and by 5.5 +/- 0.9% (n = 3) to 18 +/- 4% (n = 4) upon exposure to 0.1-100 microM sodium azide. Ferricyanide ion (10-100 microM) appeared to be ineffective, as would be expected if the effect of nitroprusside was due to the nitric oxide rather than the cyanide or ferric moieties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunocytochemical localization of cAMP and cGMP in cells of the rat carotid body following natural and pharmacological stimulation

Although the chemoreceptive function of the carotid body has been known for many decades, the cellular mechanisms of sensory transduction in this organ remain obscure. Common elements in the transductive processes of many cells are the cyclic nucleotide second messengers, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Studies from our laboratory have revealed stimulus-induced changes in cyclic nucleotide levels in the carotid body as measured by RIA, but such changes in second messenger levels have not been localized to specific cellular elements in the organ. The present immunocytochemical study utilized the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method to investigate the distribution of cAMP and cGMP in the rat carotid body and to assess changes in the intensity of immunostaining following in vitro stimulation by hypoxia, forskolin, sodium nitroprusside, high potassium, and atrial natriuretic peptide. Both cAMP and cGMP immunoreactivity were localized to type I cells of organs maintained in vivo and fixed by perfusion. Organs exposed to 100% O2-equilibrated media in vitro produced low but visible levels of cAMP immunoreactivity in a majority of type I cells; hypoxia (5% O2-equilibrated media) for 10 min moderately increased the level of immunoreactivity; forskolin (10(-5) M), or forskolin combined with hypoxia, dramatically increased cAMP levels in virtually all cells. Moderate levels of cGMP immunoreactivity in control carotid bodies in vitro were strikingly reduced by hypoxia; a significant increase in cGMP levels occurred following incubation in high potassium (100 mM), and under these conditions, the decrease in cGMP immunoreactivity with hypoxia was much more pronounced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor, nitroprusside and acetylcholine on cGMP immunostaining in the isolated perfused rat kidney

In the present study the localization of the cGMP production in response to the vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney using cGMP immunocytochemistry. After ACh (0.3 microM) infusion increased cGMP immunoreactivity was found in kidney interlobar and segmental arteries and in glomeruli. SNP (1 microM) and ANF (0.01 microM) elevated cGMP staining in the same elements of the kidney as ACh. In the glomeruli ACh and SNP stimulated cGMP production in mesangial cells whereas ANF stimulated cGMP production in mesangial cells whereas ANF stimulated cGMP production in epithelial cells (podocytes). However, SNP at higher doses (10 microM) stimulated cGMP production not only in glomeruli, but also in interstitial cells throughout the cortex. In addition SNP and ANF increased cGMP production in the medulla.

Immunocytology on microwave-fixed cells reveals rapid and agonist-specific changes in subcellular accumulation patterns for cAMP or cGMP

We developed a method for cAMP and cGMP immunocytology based upon fixation by microwave irradiation. Fixation by microwave irradiation prevented three problems found with other fixation methods: nucleotide loss from cells, nucleotide diffusion within cells, and chemical modification of immunologic epitopes. Six agonists (four that stimulate adenylate cyclase and two that stimulate guanylate cyclase) produced cAMP or cGMP accumulation patterns that were agonist-specific, dose-dependent, detectable at physiologic concentrations of hormone, and time-dependent within 15 sec to 30 min. cAMP accumulation after 1 mM forskolin was greatest in the nucleus. Isoproterenol, prostaglandin E2, or calcitonin caused initial accumulation of cAMP along the plasma membrane, but later accumulation was greater in the cytoplasm. With calcitonin the later accumulation of cAMP was selectively perinuclear and along the nuclear membrane. Sodium nitroprusside stimulated cGMP accumulation diffusely throughout the cytoplasm. Atrial natriuretic peptide initiated cGMP accumulation near the plasma membrane, and cGMP accumulation moved from there into the cytoplasm. In conclusion, microwave irradiation preserved cell structure and allowed visualization of expected as well as unsuspected changes in intracellular accumulation patterns of cAMP and cGMP.

cGMP immunocytochemistry in aorta, kidney, retina and brain tissues of the rat after perfusion with nitroprusside

The distribution of cyclic guanosine 3',5' monophosphate (cGMP) producing cells in various organs of the rat were studied immunocytochemically using antibodies raised against formaldehyde-fixed cGMP. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a direct activator of guanylate cyclase and vasodilator, was used to enhance cGMP levels. In order to reach all organs optimally, whole body perfusion was performed using a modified Krebs-Ringer buffer at 37 degrees C, aerated with 5% CO2/95% O2, also containing isobutyl methyl xanthine (IBMX); a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. After 15-min pre-perfusion, SNP was added to the perfusate, followed by fast fixation with ice-cold 4% paraformaldehyde-phosphate buffer. After vehicle perfusion, only the retina showed cGMP immunoreactivity in the photoreceptor and ganglion layer, while other organs lacked cGMP immunoreactivity. After 15-min perfusion with SNP (10 microM), enhanced cGMP immunostaining was seen in smooth muscles of the aorta, amacrine-like cells in the retina, glomeruli of the kidney cortex, blood vessels in the dura mater, as well as cells in the pineal and in the median eminence. The results indicate that the distribution and the reactivity of cGMP producing cells, situated outside the blood brain barrier, can be studied by immunocytochemistry after pharmacological manipulations of the intact tissue with a nitrovasodilator using whole body perfusion.

Formaldehyde fixation of cGMP in distinct cellular pools and their recognition by different cGMP-antisera. An immunocytochemical study into the problem of serum specificity

Three different antisera raised against the same formaldehyde fixed cGMP conjugate were tested for their specificity in two non-biological and two biological model systems. The first non-biological model system was based on nucleotides fixed to gelatin by formaldehyde and the other non-biological model was nitrocellulose paper as a carrier for nucleotides coupled to proteins by formaldehyde. All antisera proved specific for cGMP in both models. As biological models we used the in vitro incubated hippocampus slice and the in vitro incubated aortic ring. In hippocampus slices all three antisera showed cGMP-producing cells after atrial natriuretic factor stimulation. However, there were significant differences in the visualization of cGMP-immunoreactivity between the three antisera when sodium nitroprusside or potassium were used to stimulate cGMP production. Nevertheless, these differential staining patterns all showed cGMP-immunoreactivity using the conventional immunocytochemical control tests. In the aorta ring all three antisera showed the same strong increase in cGMP-immunoreactivity after in vitro stimulation with sodium nitroprusside. These results were corroborated by biochemical assay of cGMP. We conclude that these three antisera all demonstrate cGMP-immunoreactivity in the biological models used. The different staining patterns that occur are caused by differences in the microchemical milieu of the formaldehyde-fixed cGMP. The use of different antibodies to cGMP may give information about this microchemical milieu which may eventually contribute to a better understanding of different intracellular cGMP pools.

Quantitative radioimmunocytochemical evidence that haloperidol and SCH 23390 induce opposite changes in substance P levels of rat substantia nigra

Chronic blockade of the dopamine (DA) D2 receptor by repeated systemic administration of the butyrophenone neuroleptic, haloperidol (HAL), is known to lead to a decrease in levels of the neuroactive peptide, substance P (SP), in the rat striatum and substantia nigra (SN). Using a high-resolution, quantitative radioimmunocytochemistry (RIC) technique, we have shown the HAL-induced decrease in rat nigral SP to be both dose- and time-dependent. In addition, chronic administration of the highly selective D2 antagonist, S(-)-sulpiride, also decreased nigral SP. Following blockade of the dopamine D1 receptor by chronic administration of the selective D1 antagonist, SCH 23390, we found, in contrast, that levels of SP in SN were increased in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The magnitude of the maximum SCH 23390-induced elevation (20-30%) of nigral SP was approximately equal to that of the maximum HAL-induced decrease. The opposite response of nigral SP levels to repeated injections of a D1 or D2 antagonist suggests that the two DA receptor subtypes exert tonic, opposing, modulatory influences on the SP content of the striatonigral pathway.

Atrial natriuretic factor-responding and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-producing cells in the rat hippocampus: a combined micropharmacological and immunocytochemical approach

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-responding, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-producing cells were visualized in the hippocampus of the rat applying cGMP immunocytochemistry to hippocampal tissue slices incubated in vitro. These cells were found scattered throughout the hippocampus with their highest density in the hilus fascia dentata. Staining with an antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein showed a completely different pattern, suggesting a non-glial nature of the ANF-responding cells. cGMP accumulation assayed biochemically was observed already at 10 microM ANF and was sensitive to inhibition by Methylene blue. The immunocytochemical data were fully supported by the biochemical measurements of cGMP under these conditions. Our results show for the first time a response to ANF of individual, cGMP-producing cells in the CNS of the rat.