Localization of [Met5]- and [Leu5]-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in nerve terminals in human paravertebral sympathetic ganglia

Antti Hervonen*, Ilona Linnoila, Virginia M. Pickel, Pauli Helén, Markku Pelto-Huikko, Hannu Alho, Richard J. Miller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both [Leu5]- and [Met5]-enkephalin have been localized immunohistochemically in nerve fibres and in small, intensely fluorescent cells of adult human sympathetic ganglia. The nerve fibres showing enkephalin-like immunoreactivity formed a network varying in density around the sympathetic neurons, some being closely related to the perikarya. No labelled neuronal cell bodies were found. No structures within the ganglion were labelled after reaction with antibodies to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, adrenocorticotrophin or substance P. No differences between the distributions of [Leu5]-and [Met5]-enkephalin-like immunoreactivities were found. The physiological roles of enkephalins are still unknown, but it is possible that they might act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators in the human sympathetic nervous system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)323-330
Number of pages8
JournalNeuroscience
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1981

Funding

Acknowledgements-Thrise searchw ass upportedb y grants from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation and the Medica Scientific Foundation in Finland as well as by NIH grants MH24285,N S06911,H L18974,a nd R. J. Miller LDA02121-01V. .M.P. also holds a ResearchC areerD evel-opmentA ward (MHOO078).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Localization of [Met5]- and [Leu5]-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in nerve terminals in human paravertebral sympathetic ganglia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this