LOCALIZATION OF [D-ALA(2)]DELTORPHIN I-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN PERINATAL RAT RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Citation
S. Matsui et al., LOCALIZATION OF [D-ALA(2)]DELTORPHIN I-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN PERINATAL RAT RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, Histochemical Journal, 26(8), 1994, pp. 648-654
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Cytology & Histology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0018-2214
Volume
26
Issue
8
Year of publication
1994
Pages
648 - 654
Database
ISI
SICI code
0018-2214(1994)26:8<648:LO[III>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
The localization of [D-Ala(2)]deltorphin I, a delta-opioid receptor li gand, was studied in the lower respiratory tract of developing rats us ing an immunohistochemical method. [D-Ala(2)]-like immunoreactive cell s were detected first in the principal bronchus as early as embryonic day 16. As embryos grew, positive cells became gradually visible every where from principal bronchi to respiratory bronchioles. The density o f positive cells reached the highest level on embryonic day 21, but de creased gradually after birth. Positive cells were no longer seen on p ostnatal day 30 in any region of the airways. No positive cells were e ver found in the trachea or alveoli of rats at any age studied. Ultras tructural examination indicated that the immunoreactive cells possesse d a similar morphology to serous or Clara cells of the respiratory epi thelium. Immunoreaction products tended to locate at the apical cytopl asm of positive cells. The result suggests that [D-Ala(2)]-like molecu le(s) may be expressed transiently in serous cells or Clara cells, or both, of the rat bronchopulmonary tract. Such a molecule may act as a pulmonary growth-promoting or a differentiation-initiating factor in a n early period of lung development.