Coexistence of calbindin D-28k and NADPH-diaphorase in vagal and glossopharyngeal sensory neurons of the rat

• Published in: Brain research 1996-10, Vol.735 (2), p.325-329
• Main Authors: Ichikawa, Hiroyuki, Helke, Cinda J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Calbindin D-28k; Calbindins; Calcitonin gene-related peptide; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Ganglia, Sensory - cytology; Ganglia, Sensory - metabolism; Glossopharyngeal Nerve - cytology; Glossopharyngeal Nerve - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Jugular ganglion; Male; NADPH Dehydrogenase - metabolism; NADPH-diaphorase; Neurons, Afferent - metabolism; Nodose ganglion; Petrosal ganglion; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; S100 Calcium Binding Protein G - metabolism; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Tyrosine hydroxylase; Vagus Nerve - cytology; Vagus Nerve - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(96)00798-6

The presence and coexistence of calbindin D-28k-immunoreactivity (ir) and nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase activity (a marker of neurons that are presumed to convert L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide) were examined in the glossopharyngeal and vagal sensory ganglia (jugular, petrosal and nodose ganglia) of the rat. Calbindin D-28k-ir nerve cells were found in moderate and large numbers in the petrosal and nodose ganglia, respectively. Some calbindin D-28k-ir nerve cells were also observed in the jugular ganglion. NADPH-diaphorase positive nerve cells were localized to the jugular and nodose ganglia and were rare in the petrosal ganglion. A considerable portion (33–51%) of the NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons in these ganglia colocalized calbindin D-28k-ir. The presence and colocalization of calbindin D-28k-ir and NADPH-diaphorase activity in neurotransmitter-identified subpopulations of visceral sensory neurons were also studied. In all three ganglia, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-ir was present in many NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons, a subset of which also contained calbindin D-28k-ir. In the nodose ganglion, many (42%) of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-ir neurons also contained NADPH diaphorase activity but did not contain calbindin D-28k-ir. These data are consistent with a potential co-operative role for calbindin D-28k and NADPH-diaphorase in the functions of a subpopulation of vagal and glossopharyngeal sensory neurons.