Substance P in the vagal sensory ganglia: Localization in cell bodies and pericellular arborizations

Abstract

The distribution of Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the jugular and nodose ganglia of rabbits and pigeons has been studied using immunocytochemical staining techniques. Substance P-like immunoreactivity is localized to neuronal cell bodies and processes in the jugular and nodose ganglia, and to pericellular fiber plexi in the nodose ganglia of both species. The numbers and sizes of cells which exhibited Substance P-like immunoreactivity in each ganglion were determined using quantitative morphometric techniques. The distribution of Substance P-like immunoreactivity in the rabbit and pigeon vagal sensory ganglia is characterized by several general features. In most of the ganglia, immunoreactive neurons factor into discrete types which can be distinguished from one another, and from non-immunoreactive neurons, by size. In addition, immunoreactive nodose and jugular ganglion cells, respectively, are distinguishable on the basis of size. Finally, a considerably high percentage of immunoreactive neurons is found in the jugular ganglion than in the nodose ganglion. Substance P-like immunoreactivity was also seen in pericellular fiber plexi which encircle individual neurons in the nodose ganglion of rabbits and pigeons. These plexi are composed of varicose fibers which appear to terminate as boutons on the surface of the cells which they encircle. The distribution of Substance P-like immunoreactivity within the vagal sensory ganglia is discussed with respect to the possible peripheral targets and functions of Substance P-containing vagal afferents. Our findings suggest that Substance P-containing vagal sensory neurons are involved in a variety of visceral and somatic afferent functions.

Immunohistochemical characterization of the jugular (superior vagal) ganglion in the pig

“…The presence of SP-positive neurones in the SVG was previously described in goat (Kang et al 2001), and those neurones constituted a subpopulation amounting up to 48.2%. Similar observations were obtained in rabbit and pigeon (Katz and Karten 1980), guinea pig (Kummer et al 1990, Kummer et al 1992) and rat (Ichikawa et al 1991, Czyzyk-Krzeska et al 1991b, Finley et al 1992). Porcine cranial sensory ganglia contain smaller subpopulations of SP-IR neurons; 16.2% and 14.2% of the nerve cell bodies were found in the right and left nodose ganglion (Bulc et al 2013), and the vestibular ganglion comprises 12% of the perikarya (Dudek et al 2012).…”

Synapse formation among developing sensory neurones from rat nodose ganglia grown in tissue culture.

“…The transmitter released by nodose neurones in vivo is unknown; however, there are experiments that suggest ACh could be a transmitter for some nodose neurones (Matsumura & Kolle, 1961;Vera & Luco, 1967;Fujiwara, Kurahashi, Mizuno & Nakamura, 1978;Falempin & Rousseau, 1983). Other substances implicated as transmitters for nodose neurones are substance P (Lundberg, Hokfelt, Nilsson, Terenius, Renfeld, Elde & Said, 1978;Katz & Karten, 1980), glutamate (Talman, Perrone & Reis, 1980) and 5-HT (Gaudin-Chazal, Portalier, Puizillout & Vigier, 1983 This shows three phase micrographs of nodose neurones in culture. A was taken 2 days after plating and shows both the neurones (large spherical cells) together with satellite cells.…”

Expression of catecholaminergic characteristics by primary sensory neurons in the normal adult rat in vivo.

“…The TyrOHasepositive ganglion cells exhibit specific morphologic characteristics typical of primary sensory neurons. The initial axon glomerulus is a prominent feature of principal neurons in mammalian sensory ganglia (21,22) that is not shared by any other class of neurons, including sympathetic neurons or SIF cells (20,21). Similarly, the presence of a single bifurcating neurite is typical, though not diagnostic, of the sensory phenotype.…”