Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neuropeptide (neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, somatostatin) immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of renal nerves

  • Published:
Histochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

With the use of several region-specific antisera and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, several regulatory polypeptides were localized in nerves of the kidney. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)- immunoreactivity (IR), neurotensin (NT)-IR and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-IR occurred at high densities in all segments of the renal arterial system forming a perivascular plexus. Furthermore, NT-IR nerves were particularly frequent at the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-IR was mainly concentrated in nerves supplying the hilus arteries and the JGA. Substance P (SP)-IR was predominantly found in large varicosities close to large renal arterial vessels and in the vicinity of the JGA. Somatostatin (SOM)-IR was only observed in single varicosities located at the media-adventitia border of large renal hilus arteries. The peptidergic nerves are correlated to their ultrastructural counterpart. In addition, the distribution patterns and the frequency of the different types of renal peptidergic nerve fibres are evaluated and compared. The functional role of these neuropeptides and their origin within the efferent branch of this part of the peripheral autonomic nervous system is discussed. Furthermore, the implication of some of the neuropeptides studied in afferent renal innervation is also substantiated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alm P, Alumets J, Brodin F, Håkanson R, Sjöberg NO, Nilsson G, Sundler F (1978) Peptidergic (substance P) nerves in the genitourinary tract. Neuroscience 3:419–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Alm P, Alumets J, Håkanson R, Owman C, Sjöberg NO, Sundler F, Walles B (1980) Origin and distribution of VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide)-nerves in the genitourinary tract. Cell Tissue Res 205:337–347

    Google Scholar 

  • Amara SG, Jonas V, Rosenfeld MG, Ong ES, Evans RM (1982) Alternative RNA-processing in calcitonin gene expression generates mRNAs encoding different polypeptide products. Nature 298:240–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Archelos T, Xiang JZ, Reinecke M, Lang RE (1988) Regulation of release and function of neuropeptides in the heart. J Cardiovase Pharmacol (in press)

  • Barajas L (1978) Innervatio of the renal cortex. Fed Proc 37:1192–1201

    Google Scholar 

  • Barajas L, Sokolski KN, Lechago J (1983) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive nerves in the kidney. Neurosci Lett 43:263–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Brain SD, Williams TJ, Tippins JR, Morris HR, MacIntyre J, (1985) Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a potent vasodilator. Nature 313:54–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnweit C, Forssmann WG (1979) Somatostatinergic nerves in the cervical spinal cord of the monkey. Cell Tissue Res 200:83–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Della NG, Papka RE, Furness JB, Costa M (1983) Vasoactive intestinal peptide-like immunoreactivity in nerves associated with the cardiovascular system of guinea-pigs. Neuroscience 9:605–619

    Google Scholar 

  • Emson PC, De Quidt ME (1984) NPY—a new member of the pancreatic polypeptide family. Trends Neurosci 7:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson M, Bell C (1985) Substance P-immunoreactive nerves in the rat kidney. Neurosci Lett 60:183–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Forssmann WG, Reinecke M (1984) Organ-specific innervation by autonomic nerve fibers as revealed by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In: Ratzenhofer M, Höfler H, Walter GF (eds) Frontiers in hormone research, vol 12 Karger, Basel, pp 59–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Forssmann WG, Pickel V, Reinecke M, Hock D, Metz J (1981) Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry of nervous tissue. In: Heym C, Forssmann WG (eds) Techniques in neuroanatomical research Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 171–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Forssmann WG, Hock D, Metz J (1982) Peptidergic innervation of the kidney. Neurosci Lett 10:S183

    Google Scholar 

  • Gattone VH, Marfurt CF, Dallie S (1986) Extrinsic innervation of the rat kidney: a retrograde tracing study. Am J Physiol 250:F189-F196

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorgas K, Reinecke M, Weihe E, Forssmann WG (1983) Neurotensin and substance P immunoreactive nerve endings in the guinea pig carotid sinus and their ultranstructural counterpart. Anat Embryol 167:347–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Håkanson R, Sundler F, Uddman R (1982) Distribution and topography of peripheral VIP nerve fibers: functional implications. In: Said SI (ed) Vasoactive intestinal peptide: advances in peptide hormone research series. Raven Press, New York, pp 121–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassall CJS, Burnstock G (1984) Neuropeptide Y-like immunore-activity in cultured intrinsic neurones of the heart. Neurosci Lett 52:111–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Hock D, Forssmann WG (1984) Zur peptidergen Innervation der Niere. Verh Anat Ges 78:463–464

    Google Scholar 

  • Hökfelt T, Kellerth JO, Nilsson G, Pernow B (1975) Experimental immunohistochemical studies on the localization and distribution of substance P in cat primary sensory neurons. Brain Res 100:235–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Hökfelt T, Schultzberg M, Elde R, Nilsson G, Terenius L, Said S, Goldstein M (1978) Peptide neurons in peripheral tissues including the urinary tract: immunohistochemical studies. Acta. Pharmacol Toxicol 43 (Suppl II):79–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsson LI, Fahrenkrug J, Schaffalitzky de Muckadell OB (1977) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide occurs in nerves of the female genitourinary tract. Science 197:1374–1375

    Google Scholar 

  • Lembeck F, Donnerer J, Colpaert FC (1981) Increase of substance P in primary afferent nerves during chronic pain. Neuropeptides 1:175–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg JM, Saria A, Franco-Cereceda A, Hökfelt T, Terenius L, Goldstein M (1985) Differential effects of reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine on neuropeptide Y (NPY) and noradrenalin in peripheral neurons. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 328:331–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Pernow B (1983) Substance P. Pharmacol. Rev 35:85–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter JP, Ganong WF (1988) VIP and renin secretion. In: Said S (ed) Vasoactive intestinal peptide and related peptides. Ann NY Acad Sci (in press)

  • Porter JP, Reid IA, Said SI, Ganong WF (1983) Stimulation of renin secretion by vasoactive intestinal peptide. Am J Physiol 234:F306-F310

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter JP, Said SI, Ganong WF (1984) Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates renin secretion in vitro: evidence for a direct action of the peptide on the renal juxtaglomerular cells. Neuroendocrinology 36:404–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Quirion R, Gaudreau P, St-Pierre S, Rioux F (1982) Localization of neurotensin binding sites in rat kidney. Peptides 3:765–769

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke M (1985) Neurotensin. Immunohistochemical localization in central and peripheral nervous system and in endocrine cells and its functional role as neurotransmitter and endocrine hormone Prog Histochem Cytochem 16:1–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke M (1987a) Neurotensin in the human fallopian tube: immunohistochemical localization and effects of synthetic neurotensin on motor activity in vitro. Neurosci Lett 73:220–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke M (1987b) Substance P is a vasoactive hormone in the atlantic hagfish Myxine glutinosa (Cyclostomata). Gen Comp Endocrinol 66:291–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke M, Forssmann WG (1988) Peptidergic innervation of the coronary vessels. In: Burnstock G, Griffiths S (eds) Nonadrenergic non-cholinergic innervation. CRC Press, Bocca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke M, Schlüter P, Yanaihara N, Forssmann WG (1981) VIP immunoreactivity in enteric nerves and endocrine cells of the vertebrate gut. Peptides 2 (Suppl 2):149–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Rioux F, Kérouac R, St-Pierre S (1982) Analysis of the biphasic depressor-pressor effect and tachycardia caused by neurotensin in ganglion-blocked rats. Neuropeptides 3:361–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenfeld MG, Mermod JJ, Amara SG, Swanson IW, Sawchenko PE, Rivier J, Vale WW, Evans RM (1983) Production of a novel neuropeptide encoded by the calcitonin gene via tissuespecific RNA processing. Nature 304:129–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Saria A, Lundberg JM, Hua X, Lembeck F (1983) Capsaicin-induced substance P release and sensory control of vascular permeability in the guinea pig ureter. Neurosci Lett 41:167–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberger LA (1979) Immunocytochemistry. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuchscherer MM, Seybold VS (1985) Immunohistochemical studies of substance P, cholecystokinin-octapeptide and somatostatin in dorsal root ganglia of the rat. Neuroscience 14:593–605

    Google Scholar 

  • Wharton J, Gulbenkian S, Mulderry PK, Ghatei MA, McGregor GP, Bloom SR, Polak J (1986) Capsaicin induces a depletion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP-immunoreactive nerves in the cardiovascular system of the guinea pig and rat. J Auton Nerv Syst 16:289–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiesenfeld-Hallin Z, Hökfelt T, Lundberg JM, Forssmann WG, Reinecke M, Tschopp FA, Fischer J (1984) Immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P coexist in sensory neurones and interact in spinal bahavioral responses. Neurosci Lett 52:199–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Zanchetti A, Stella A, Golin R, Genovesi S (1984) Neural control of the kidney-are there reno-renal reflexes? Clin Exp Hypertens [A] 6:275–286

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy III, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, D-6900, Heidelberg, Germany

    M. Reinecke & W. G. Forssmann

Authors
  1. M. Reinecke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. G. Forssmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Prof. Dr. T.H. Schiebler on the occasion of his 65th birthday

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reinecke, M., Forssmann, W.G. Neuropeptide (neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, somatostatin) immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of renal nerves. Histochemistry 89, 1–9 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00496578

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00496578

Keywords

Search

Navigation