Localization in the vagal ganglia of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and calretinin-immunoreactive neurons that innervate the cervical and the subdiaphragmatic esophagus of the rat

J Chem Neuroanat. 2012 Jan;43(1):34-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.10.004. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Abstract

We have determined the localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (CGRP-ir) and calretinin-ir neurons in the vagal ganglia that innervate the cervical or subdiaphragmatic esophagus. Many CGRP-ir neurons were found exclusively in the jugular ganglion located in the cranial cavity. Calretinin-ir neurons were distributed throughout the vagal ganglia. Injection of Fluorogold into the cervical esophagus resulted in many Fluorogold-labeled neurons in the jugular and nodose ganglia. Injection of Fluorogold into the subdiaphragmatic esophagus resulted in many Fluorogold-labeled neurons, with most in the nodose ganglion. In the case of Fluorogold injection into the cervical esophagus, double-labeling combining immunohistochemistry and retrograde tracing showed that about 40% of the Fluorogold-labeled neurons in the jugular ganglion express CGRP-like immunoreactivity, and about 20% of the Fluorogold-labeled neurons in both the jugular and nodose ganglia express calretinin-like immunoreactivity. In the case of injection into the subdiaphragmatic esophagus, only a few Fluorogold-labeled neurons express CGRP-like immunoreactivity or calretinin-like immunoreactivity in the vagal ganglia. These results indicate that the cervical esophagus receives projections from many CGRP-ir neurons in the jugular ganglion and from calretinin-ir neurons in the jugular and nodose ganglia, while the subdiaphragmatic esophagus receives projections from only a few CGRP-ir and calretinin-ir neurons in the vagal ganglia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calbindin 2
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / metabolism*
  • Esophagus / innervation*
  • Male
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / metabolism*
  • Vagus Nerve / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calb2 protein, rat
  • Calbindin 2
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide