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R H Ho

Publications and source records attributed to R H Ho.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A comparison of the ultrastructure of substance P and enkephalin-immunoreactive elements in the nucleus of the dorsal lateral funiculus and laminae I and II of the rat spinal cord.

The ultrastructure of substance P (SP)- and enkephalin (ENK)-immunoreactive elements in the nucleus of the dorsal lateral funiculus (NDLF) and in laminae I and II of the spinal cord was examined in the rat using the peroxidate-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Electron-microscopic observations were made of a large number of immunolabelled terminals (n = 428; many followed in serial sections), axons, and immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites which were occasionally encountered. Morphometric analysis was used to describe and compare the fine structural features of immunolabelled elements. Both SP- and ENK-immunoreactive terminals contained clear synaptic vesicles and dense-cored vesicles of similar size but the ENK-immunoreactive profiles contained significantly more dense-cored vesicles than SP-immunolabelled profiles. Both SP- and ENK-immunoreactive profiles in the dorsal laminae of the dorsal horn contacted mainly smaller dendritic elements. Only rarely were axo-axonic interactions noted. The NDLF contains widely scattered cell bodies dispersed within a neuropil which is rich in synaptic complexes and is interdigitated between fascicles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons. Numerous SP- and ENK-immunoreactive profiles were observed in the NDLF, many of which made asymmetric synaptic contacts with NDLF neurons. Although both the dorsal gray and NDLF contain large numbers of SP- and ENK-immunoreactive elements which are similar in morphology in both regions, the NDLF can be distinguished from laminae I and II by a number of criteria, including the nature of the neuropil, principle sources of SP innervation, and the termination patterns of ascending projections.

Animals↗

The distribution and synaptic organization of serotoninergic elements in the inferior olivary complex of the opossum.

Immunohistochemistry and high-resolution autoradiography were used to analyze the distribution and synaptic organization of serotonin (5HT) - containing elements in the inferior olivary complex of the opossum. Immunoreactive beaded varicosities are present throughout the olivary complex. The densest 5HT immunostaining is present in subnucleus b of the caudal medial accessory nucleus. The rostral principal olive is sparsely populated with immunoreactive elements. Fine beaded fibers arborize throughout the neuropil of all the olivary nuclei except in subnucleus b of the caudal medial accessory nucleus where they also circumscribe neuronal cell bodies. In addition, a distinct population of large beaded fibers are occasionally encountered in the neuropil of the medial accessory nucleus. Ultrastructurally, labeled profiles that correspond in size to the smaller beads (less than 1 micron) contain tubulovesicular elements, large dense-cored vesicles, and clear vesicles. In contrast, larger profiles (greater than 2 microns) are characterized by numerous clear synaptic vesicles. Synaptic junctions were encountered in only 2% of the labeled elements. The majority of the labeled profiles were in juxtaposition to small-diameter dendrites (less than 2 microns) except in the caudal medial accessory nucleus, where they also were found in apposition to olivary cell bodies. Our results, when compared with other accounts, indicate that rather than major differences in the nuclear distribution of serotonin between species, there are differences in the density of serotoninergic elements in specific nuclei of the mammalian inferior olive. Based on the size of the labeled profiles and the distinct vesicle populations, our data suggest there are at least two populations of 5HT varicosities that are in juxtaposition to olivary neurons. Further, boutons containing 5HT primarily interact with the distal dendrites of olivary neurons except in the caudal medial accessory nucleus where cell bodies are in apposition to 5HT varicosities.

Animals↗

Somatostatin 28(1-14) immunoreactivity in primary afferent neurons of the rat spinal cord.

Somatostatin 28(1-14) immunoreactivity is present in dorsal root ganglion cells and in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord in the rat. The distribution of somatostatin 28(1-14) immunoreactive varicosities in the dorsal horn corresponds well to the distribution of somatostatin 14 immunoreactive elements. Some dorsal root ganglion cells exhibit both somatostatin 14 and somatostatin 28(1-14) immunoreactivities.

Animals↗

Partial characterization of immunoreactive substance P in the rat pituitary gland.

Two distinct carboxy-terminus-directed anti-substance P (SP) sera (R-1C and R-6G) were used to characterize immunoreactive SP (I-SP) in acetic acid extracts of anterior pituitary (AP) and posterior pituitary (PP) glands of adult male rats. The tissue concentrations of I-SP measured by R-1C and R-6G were comparable. The contents of I-SP were 600-1150 pg/AP and 25-52 pg/PP. I-luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and I-somatostatin (I-SOM) were undetectable in AP extracts, but PP extracts contained the equivalents of 325-785 pg I-SOM/gland. Serial dilutions of AP and PP extracts produced displacement curves with both SP antisera that were parallel to the respective synthetic SP standard and hypothalamic extract displacement curves. Gel filtrations of AP and PP extracts on a Sephadex G-25 column produced I-SP peaks eluting in the same fractions as synthetic SP and hypothalamic I-SP. However, the AP I-SP profile also revealed a side peak migrating between the void volume and the major I-SP peak. Neither immunoreactive species in the AP extract were eliminated when eluted with 6.0 M guanidine HCl, a strong denaturing agent. In vitro incubation of paired anterior hemipituitaries for 30 min in the presence of a 56 mM K+ concentration resulted in a significant (p less than .0001), 25-fold increase in the release of I-SP into the incubation medium above the mean control value. Radiofrequency lesions placed in the median eminence-arcuate region of male rats caused a significant (p less than .001) reduction of I-SP in both the AP and PP. These reductions were inversely related to the plasma prolactin values. The elevation in plasma prolactin was taken as an index of completeness of lesions. We conclude that: 1) the rat pituitary contains I-SP as assessed by its immunologic and chromatographic behavior, 2) K+ depolarization is a potent stimulator of the release of AP I-SP in vitro, 3) the ME-arcuate region is important for the maintenance of pituitary I-SP levels in the rat.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The neuronal types and the distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine and enkephalin-like immunoreactive fibers in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of the North American opossum.

The opossum dorsal cochlear nucleus is divided into four layers distinguishable either on the basis of differential distribution of neuron types or by neuropil organization. We have used Nissl, Golgi and protargol stained preparations to examine these components. Four types of neurons (excluding granule cells) are seen. The principal neurons have large cell bodies arranged in a sheet defining layer II, their apical dendrites extend dorsally to form an elaborate arbor in layer I and their basal dendrites pass ventrally into layer III. Round cells are found throughout layers I and II. Their densely packed dendritic domains feature thick spine encrusted dendrites that have many recurrent branches. Giant neurons have large perikarya scattered throughout layers III and IV and long thick dendrites that radiate throughout the nucleus. Small multipolar neurons (stellate cells) are found throughout the nucleus. The more superficial ones have small perikarya whereas those found in deeper layers tend to be large. All four layers of the nucleus may be clearly differentiated in protargol stained sections. Layer I has small, thin fibers in parallel array, layer II has a mixture of fibers with an apparent random orientation, layer III has large diameter vertically oriented fibers, and layer IV has fibers of similar diameter but deposed horizontally. Immunohistochemical techniques have been used to identify specific fiber systems in the neuropil of the dorsal cochlear nucleus. Fibers containing 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) immunoreactivity were prevalent in layers I, III and IV but sparse in layer II. Fibers containing enkephalin (ENK)-immunoreactivity were prevalent in layer I and II with only a few scattered fibers in the deeper layers. Isolated clusters of 5-HT and ENK immunoreactive fibers in layer II were found around principal neuron somata; similar clusters in the deep layers were located around the somata of giant neurons. The wide distribution of 5-HT immunoreactive fibers suggests they may be involved in a general regulation of activity in this nucleus; conversely the more circumscribed distribution of ENK immunoreactive fibers would suggest a restricted involvement of this fiber system with a specific feature of information processing.

Animals↗

5-Hydroxytryptamine in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5HT) immunoreactive fibers and varicosities are present in the gray and white matters of the adult domestic fowl spinal cord. These immunoreactive structures are densest in laminae I and II, the area around the central canal, and in the ventral horn. 5HT fibers and varicosities surround certain laminae I and II cells and large ventral horn cells. The apparent intimate relationship between dorsal horn cells and numerous 5HT structures may render them good models to study the possible role of 5HT in the modulation of nociception in the dorsal horn.

Animals↗

Substance P and serotonin immunoreactivity in the rat inferior olive.

The present study analyzes in detail the distribution of substance P and serotonin immunoreactivity in the inferior olivary complex of the rat using the indirect antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The entire dorsal accessory olive contains an abundance of substance P fibers and varicosities. In addition, the dorsal cap of Kooy, nucleus Beta, parts b and c of the medial accessory olive, and the dorsomedial cell column contain numerous substance P immunoreactive elements. Fibers and varicosities positive for serotonin are present throughout the entire dorsal accessory olive. In addition, the rostral medial accessory olive contains an abundance of serotonin immunostaining. Scattered serotonin immunoreactive elements are present in the principal olive in particular in the area immediately subjacent to the lateral aspect of the dorsal accessory olive. Only scant serotonin immunolabeling is present in the dorsal cap of Kooy, nucleus Beta and the dorsomedial cell column. Speculations on possible functional roles of these two putative neurotransmitters are presented.

Animals↗

Studies on the proliferation and fate of oval cells in the liver of rats treated with 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy.

The kinetics of oval cell proliferation in the liver and their fate were studied by combined autoradiography and immunohistochemical staining for epidermal prekeratin and epoxide hydrolase (EH). The oval cell proliferation was induced in rats by exposure to dietary 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 2 weeks with the midway performance of partial hepatectomy (PH). The labeling with 3H-thymidine [3H-TdR] was done in different groups of rats by two procedures: continuous exposure for 1 week with the aid of a minipump and brief exposure by the administration of a single dose. The livers of groups of animals were examined from 1 to 10 weeks after PH. Oval cells and duct epithelium showed positive staining for prekeratin and negative for EH, whereas hepatocytes showed the reverse pattern of staining. A critical finding was the observation that the exposure to the 2-AAF inhibited virtually completely the labeling of hepatocytes with [3H]-TdR in the caudate lobe and incompletely in the right lobe without interfering with the labeling of the oval cells in either lobe. This made it possible to study the fate of the oval cells vis-à-vis hepatocytes. This qualitative-quantitative study of oval cells and hepatocytes clearly indicates that oval cells under these experimental conditions do not become hepatocytes within 10 weeks. Over 80% of oval cells disappear within this period, and the remainder persist as such. These results indicate that under one set of experimental conditions related to hepatocarcino-genesis in the rat, no evidence for the conversion of oval cells to hepatocytes was obtained.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗

Substance P, somatostatin, and methionine enkephalin immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The occurrence and distribution of substance P (SP), somatostatin (SOM), and enkephalin (ENK) immunoreactive elements were examined in the spinal cord of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. SP immunoreactive fibers and their varicosities were densest in laminae I and II, although they were also found within deeper regions of the dorsal horn. In contrast, the intermediate gray area, the area around the central canal, and the ventral horn, contained fewer SP immunoreactive fibers. The distribution of ENK immunoreactivity in the gray matter was similar to that described for SP although immunoreactive fibers were denser around the central canal and in the intermediate zone. Few SOM immunoreactive fibers were present in the dorsal horn, the area around the central canal, and the ventral horn. All three peptidergic immunoreactive elements were found in and around the nucleus of Terni, an autonomic area. Throughout the lumbosacral enlargement SP, SOM, and ENK immunoreactive varicosities were found adjacent to the lumbosacral sinus and in fibers traversing the glycogen body. In addition, at caudal lumbar and rostral sacral levels a plexus of SP and SOM immunoreactive fibers was observed to be in close relationship with presumed motoneurons.

Animals↗

Widespread distribution of substance P- and somatostatin-immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the neonatal rat.

The distribution of substance P (SP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the neonatal rat was examined. With few exceptions, the distribution of SP-immunoreactive elements is similar to that described for the adult. A major difference is the obvious presence of SP-immunoreactive fibers in all funiculi of neonatal cords. In addition, an obvious small bundle of longitudinal SP immunoreactive fibers is seen in the base of the dorsal horn at rostral cervical levels. Unlike that of the adult, the neonatal spinal cord shows a widespread distribution of SOM-immunoreactivity. SOM-immunoreactive fibers are present in all funiculi. SOM-immunoreactive perikarya of various shapes and sizes are widely dispersed throughout the gray matter. The cell density is increased in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, in a region ventral-lateral to the central canal and in the ventral horn. SOM-immunoreactive varicosities are present in moderate amounts in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn but are extremely sparse in other regions of the gray matter. A few SOM-immunoreactive fibers course longitudinally at the base of the dorsal horn at rostral levels of the cord. These fibers are found in the same region occupied by the longitudinal SP-immunoreactive fibers referred to above.

Animals↗

Raphespinal projections in the North American opossum: evidence for connectional heterogeneity.

Retrograde transport studies revealed that the nuclei pallidus, obscurus, and magnus raphae as well as the adjacent reticular formation innervate the spinal cord in the opposum. HRP-lesion experiments showed that a relatively large number of neurons within the nucleus obscurus raphae and closely adjacent areas of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis project through the ventrolateral white matter and that many cells within the nucleus magnus raphae, the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars ventralis, and the nucleus reticularis pontis pars ventralis contribute axons to the dorsal half of the lateral funiculi. Neurons within the rostral pole of the nucleus magnus raphae and the adjacent nucleus reticularis pontis pars ventralis may project exclusively through the latter route. Each of the above-mentioned raphe and reticular nuclei contain nonindolaminergic as well as indolaminergic neurons (Crutcher and Humbertson, '78). When True-Blue was injected into the spinal cord and the brain processed for monoamine histofluorescence evidence for True-Blue was found in neurons of both types. Injections of 3H-leucine centered within the nuclei pallidus and obscurus raphae and/or the closely adjacent nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis labeled axons within autonomic nuclei and laminae IV-X. Labeled axons were particularly numerous within the intermediolateral cell column and within laminae IX and X. Injections of the caudoventral part of the nucleus magnus raphae or the adjacent nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis pars ventrialis labeled axons in the same areas as well as within laminae I-III. When the injection was placed within the rostral part of the nucleus magnus raphae or the adjacent nucleus reticularis pontis pars ventralis axons were labeled within laminae I-III and external zones of laminae IV-VII, but not within lamina IX. The immunohistofluorescence method revealed evidence for indolaminergic axons in each of the spinal areas labeled by injections of 3H-leucine into the raphe and adjacent reticular formation. They were particularly abundant within the intermediolateral cell column and within laminae IX and X. These data indicate that raphe spinal systems are chemically and connectionally heterogeneous.

Animals↗

Substance P immunoreactivity in the anterior pituitary gland of the guinea pig.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of Substance P (SP) immunoreactive cells within the anterior pituitary gland of the adult guinea pig. By utilizing the PAP technique of Sternberger, immunoreactive SP-containing cells were visualized in all animals studied. These cells were most dense in the ventral portion of the gland. When adjacent tissue sections were incubated with anti-SP serum and anti-rat TSH serum, it was observed that most, if not all, the SP immunoreactive cells examined also exhibited TSH immunoreactivity. However, not all TSH immunoreactive cells contained SP immunoreactivity. Immunoabsorption controls indicated that the immunohistochemical staining reactions were specific for both SP and TSH. The results of this study indicate that immunoreactive SP is present in the guinea pig anterior pituitary and that this peptide is localized within TSH immunoreactive cells.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization of substance-P, somatostatin, and methionine-enkephalin in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of the North American opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

The occurrence and distribution of substance-P (SP), somatostatin (SOM), and enkephalin (ENK) were studied in the North American opossum, a generalized marsupial. Substance-P immunoreactivity was present in the tract of Lissauer as well as within lamina I, the outer part of lamina II, the lateral portion of laminae III through VII, and lamina X at all spinal levels. Although present, it was very spare in the ventral horn. Substance-P was also localized within autonomic areas of the thoracolumbar cord. ENK immunoreactivity was present in laminae I-III and laminae VII-X, as well as within autonomic areas. There was more ENK immunoreactivity in the ventral horn than SP. The densest aggregates of ENK, however, were found within the outer part of lamina II. In contrast, SOM could not be localized within the spinal cord of the opossum. (See NOTE ADDED IN PROOF).

Animals↗

Anatomical evidence for interactions between somatostatin neurites in lamina II of the rat spinal cord.

Light microscopic analysis of adult and 10-14-day-old rat spinal cords suggested that somatostatin-immunoreactive (SOM-I) fibers apposed SOM-I cell bodies in lamina (L) II. Electron microscopic analysis of these relationships at both ages showed the presence of direct appositions between SOM-I fibers and SOM-I cells. However, synapse formation between SOM-I fibers and cells was observed only in the young rat. Similarly, synapses between SOM-I fibers and SOM negative cell bodies were only found in the young animal. Adjacent SOM-I perikarya directly contacted each other, but, again, membrane specializations were evident only in the young rat. Within L I of the adult dorsal horn, a SOM-I fiber directly apposed an unlabeled cell body. Despite analysis of serial sections through the apposition, no synaptic contacts were observed.

Aging↗