Interaction between Chromaffin and Sustentacular Cells in Adrenal Medulla of Viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus)

Abstract

New evidence provides valuable information about the participation of sustentacular cells in chromaffin cell catecholamine secretion. In this process, calcium ions play an important role. It has been shown that there is an intense ionic traffic between both types of cells. Moreover, sustentacular cells take an active part in calcium metabolism, regulating levels of the ion and indirectly, the synthesis and release of catecholamines. This background information encouraged us to study the sustentacular population of Lagostomus adrenal medulla and its morphologic relationship with the chromaffin population. The animals were captured, transported to the animal facilities, anaesthetized and killed. The adrenal gland was processed by immunohistochemistry using antiserum against S-100 (subunit alpha and beta), a specific marker. Through the morphological and immunohistochemical study, it was found that there are sustentacular cells in deferent regions of adrenal medulla, mainly in the basal zone of chromaffin cells, which constitute the glomerular structure around blood capillaries. Cytoplasmic extentions of sustentacular cells penetrate into chromaffin cells and make contact with the basal membrane of the capillary endothelium. The relationship among chromaffin cells, capillaries and sustentacular cells suggests that they may intervene actively in the adrenal medulla metabolism.

Immunohistochemical study of sustentacular cells in adrenal medulla of neonatal and adult rats using an antibody against S-100 protein

“…The immunostaining of the adrenal gland with anti-S-100 protein demonstrated immunoreaction only in the sustentacular cells [11,19]. Also, Cocchia and Michetti [3] reported that S-100 protein is a specific marker substance for sustentacular cells of the adrenal medulla in the rat.…”

“…However, in the adrenaline-cell region, few sustentacular cells with few cytoplasmic processes were detected [23]. The cytoplasmic processes of sustentacular cells ramify in between and encircle the chromaffin cells [9,19]. Rodriguez et al [19] stated that the sustentacular cells may fulfil an important function in the support and regulation of the chromaffin cells, modulating in a way the synthesis and secretion of catecholamines.…”

“…The cytoplasmic processes of sustentacular cells ramify in between and encircle the chromaffin cells [9,19]. Rodriguez et al [19] stated that the sustentacular cells may fulfil an important function in the support and regulation of the chromaffin cells, modulating in a way the synthesis and secretion of catecholamines. S-100 protein is believed to be secreted by the sustentacular cells and to act as a trophic factor for the adjoining chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla [9].…”

“…The adrenal medulla is an endocrine organ of neural origin located in the central region of the adrenal gland [19]. It is composed of three different neural crest-derived cell types including chromaffin cells, ganglion cells, and sustentacular cells [1,3,5,16,17].…”

Adrenal medulla of AS/AGU rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

“…Adrenal medulla consists of chromaffin cells, the majority of cells, which convert the amino acid tyrosine into adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine; sustentacular cells, which are spindle or branched cells at the periphery of nests of chromaffin cells and are homologous in nature with Schwann cells; and ganglion cells [39]. S100 proteins are normally present in cells derived from the neural crest (Schwann cells and melanocytes), chondrocytes, adipocytes, myoepithelial cells, macrophages, Langerhans cells [14,46], and dendritic cells [41].…”