Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactive and cholinergic nerves in the whole mount preparation of the major cerebral arteries of the rat

1983 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kobayashi ◽  
K. Kyoshima ◽  
J. A. Olschowka ◽  
D. M. Jacobowitz
Keyword(s):  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Cholinergic Nerves ◽  
Whole Mount ◽  
Intestinal Polypeptide

scholarly journals Evidence for the Presence of Cholinergic Nerves in Cerebral Arteries: An Immunohistochemical Demonstration of Choline Acetyltransferase

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Saito ◽  
Jang-Yen Wu ◽  
Tony J.-F. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Choline Acetyltransferase ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Circle Of Willis ◽  
Immunohistochemical Method ◽  
Cholinergic Nerves ◽  
Vertebral Arteries ◽  
Middle Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Adventitial Layer ◽  
Basilar Arteries

The presence of cholinergic nerves in cerebral arteries of several species was investigated by an immunohistochemical method using antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). In cats, pigs, rats, and dogs, ChAT immunoreactivities were found to be associated with large bundles and single fibers in the circle of Willis and anterior cerebral, middle cerebral, and basilar arteries. In the rabbit, the ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-I) nerves were also observed in the circle of Willis and anterior and middle cerebral arteries, but only few or none were found in the basilar and vertebral arteries. The ChAT-I nerves were found only in the adventitial layer of vessels examined. Superior cervical ganglionectomy did not appreciably affect the distribution of ChAT-I nerves. These results indicate the presence of cholinergic nerves in cerebral arteries. The distribution pattern of ChAT-I nerves was different from that of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like-immunoreactive nerves and acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves. The possible coexistence of ChAT and VIP-like substance in the same neuron is discussed.

scholarly journals Immunohistochemical Localization of the VIP1 Receptor (VPAC1R) in Rat Cerebral Blood Vessels: Relation to PACAP and VIP Containing Nerves

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1205-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Fahrenkrug ◽  
Jens Hannibal ◽  
Jeppe Tams ◽  
Birgitte Georg
Keyword(s):  
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Immunohistochemical Localization ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Intimate Contact ◽  
Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Intestinal Polypeptide

The two structurally related peptides, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), are present in cerebral vascular nerve fibers. Biologic actions of VIP are exerted through two receptors, VPAC1 and VPAC2, having similar binding affinity for both VIP and PACAP. In the current study, the authors have developed a specific antibody against the rVPAC1 receptor to examine the localization of rVPAC1 immunoreactivity in cerebral arteries and arterioles of the rat by immunohistochemistry using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Specificity of the antiserum was ensured by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry of cells transfected with cDNA encoding the different PACAP-VIP receptor subtypes. The rVPAC1 receptor immunoreactivity was localized to the plasmalemma of circularly orientated smooth muscle cells on superficial cerebral arteries and arterioles taken from the basal surface of the brain. By double immunostaining VIP immunoreactive nerve fibers and, to a lesser extent, those containing PACAP were shown to have intimate contact with the receptor protein. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and PACAP containing cerebrovascular nerve fibers were found in separate nerve populations with different distribution pattern and density. In brain sections processes of cortical VIP-, but not PACAP-, containing neurons seemed to innervate the rVPAC1 receptor of pial arterioles on the brain surface. The current findings provide the neuroanatomical substrate for a role of VIP and maybe PACAP in the regulation of cerebral blood flow.

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