Neuroendocrine (NE) Cells in Rat Neonatal Lungs. A Histochemical and Immunocytochemical Study

Abstract

A study has been carried out to determine the presence of NE cells in the newborn rat lung. The localization of these cell was achieved by an argyrophil method. Both single NE and NEB, were found. Immunoperoxidase techniques were performed to determine NSE, serotonin and calcitonin production in these NE formations.

Neuroendocrine cells and nerves of the lung

“…One should take care, however, because, using methods which result in a good preservation of antigens, NSE was also found in some non-neuronal cells (Haimoto et al, 1985). Furthermore, NSE immunoreactivity was reported in NEE cells of several nonhuman mammals Polak and Bloom, 1984;Gomez-Pascual et al, 1990;Balaguer and Romano, 1991) (Figs. 9, 19) and amphibians (Cutz et al, 1986;Scheuermann et al, 1989).…”

“…Immunoreactivity for 5-HT has been found in normal pulmonary NEE cells of humans (Cutz, 1982;Polak and Bloom, 1982;Gould et al, 1983;Cutz et al, 1984;Takahashi and Yui, 1983;Johnson et al, 1985;Stahlman et al, 19851, other mammals (Cutz, 1982;Lauweryns et al, 1982;Sonstegard et al, 1982;Will et al, 1984;Cutz et al, 1985;Dayer et al, 1985a, b; Scheuer- mann Ekman, 1988, 1990;Cho et al, 1989;Gomez-Pascual et al, 1990) (Fig. lOa), reptiles (Pastor et al, 1987a(Pastor et al, , b, 1989Adriaensen et al, 1991) (Fig.…”

“…Calcitonin immunoreactivity has been reported in NEE cells of the healthy lungs of humans (Becker et al, 1980;Cutz et al, 1981;Tsutsumi et al, 1983b;Sheppard et al, 1984;Gosney et al, , 1988Gosney et al, , 1989aJohnson et al, 1985;Gomez-Pascual et al, 1986;Ito et al, 1987;Tsutsumi, 1988, 19901, other mammals (Marchevsky and Kleinerman, 1982, 1983Becker et al, 1984;Linnoila et al, 1984;Tabassian et al, 1989;Gomez-Pascual et al, 1990), and reptiles (Ravazzola et al, 1981).…”