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KMID : 0381920080380030221
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Korean Journal of Microscopy
2008 Volume.38 No. 3 p.221 ~ p.233
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Immunoelectron Microscopic Study on the Nitric Oxide Synthase in Rat Salivary Glands
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Lee Young-Hwan
Ko Jeong-Sik
Park Dae-Kyun
Park Kyung-Ho
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Abstract
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Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) has been known to regulate many physiological and pathological processes, especially the glandular secretion and blood flow. However, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) responsible for NO synthesis has not been well studied ultrastructurally in rat salivary gland. The present study was performed to investigate the distribution of nitric oxide synthase isoforms (endothelial, neuronal, and inducible NOS). Immunoelectron microscopic study, using monoclonal mouse anti-endothelial NOS, anti-neuronal NOS, and anti-inducible NOS, was performed in the salivary gland of rat. Endothelial NOS (eNOS)-positive immunoreactivities were most prominent in the secretory granules of serous cells of the salivary gland of the rat. Immunoreactivities were well concentrated on serous secretory granules in the serous cells. However, weak eNOS-positive immunoreactivity was observed in the mucous secretory granules of the mucous cells. Positive endothelial NOS (eNOS) immunoreactivities were most prominent in the secretory granules of intralobular ducts. Ductal secretory granules and acinar serous secretory granules have a similar pattern of labeling as eNOS suggestings. Neural NOS (nNOS)-positive immunoreactivity was not detected in duct systems or in acinar cells. Inducible NOS (iNOS)-positive immunoreactivity was not seen in acinar and ductal cells. These results reveal the presence of eNOS in the salivary gland of the rat, which may be related with regulation of the glandular secretion and blood flow through the gland.
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KEYWORD
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Nitric Oxide, NO, Nitric Oxide Synthase, NOS, Salivary Gland, Ultrastructure
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