Distribution of ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells in amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri – A study of immunohistochemistry

The distribution of ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells in amphioxus （Branchiostoma belcheri） was investigated by using immunohistochemical staining with rabbit antiserum against synthetical mammalian ghrelin. The results showed that ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells were distributed widely in the nervous system, Hatschek＇s pit, wheel organ, digestive tract and gonads （ovary and testis）. In nervous system, ghrelin-like immunoreactive neurons and their protrusions were distributed specifically on the dorsal side, ventral side and funnel part of brain vesicle, with a few dispersive immunoreactive nerve cells and their fibers in nerve tube. Ghrelin-like immunoreactivities were also detected in Hatschek＇s pit epithelial cells and wheel organ cells, with positive substance located along cell membrane. In digestive tract, ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells existed in hepatic diverticulum, anterior and posterior region of midgut, and could be classified into two types, closed- and opened-type endocrine cells. The number of positive cells was most in hepatic diverticulum, secondary in posterior region of midgut and least in anterior region of midgut. In gonads, ghrelin-like immunoreactive substance was detected in oogonia, oocytes and follicle cells in ovary at the small and large growth stages and in early spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells in testis. The extensive distribution of ghrelin-like cells in amphioxus suggested that these kinds of cells are conservative in evolution and diversified in function. At the same time, we found for the first time that ghrelin-like immunoreactive cells existed in brain vesicle and Hatschek＇s pit, which provided new morphological evidence for the existence of an activation pathway between brain vesicle and Hatschek＇s pit for the regulation of growth hormone excretion.     

Distribution of α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells in the nervous system, Hatschek''''s pit and other tissues of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Immunohistochemical localization of a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and other tissues of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) was performed using the antibody against synthetic α-MSH. The results revealed that α-MSH-like immunoreactive cells were distributed at the dorsal side and ventral side of brain vesicle, the dorsal side and the surrounding of nerve tube, and in the epithelial cells of Hatschek's pit, the zone 1, 3, and 6 of endostyle and gut. The immunoreactive substance was also found in the primary oocytes of the small and large growth stage of ovary and early stage spermatogenic cells in testis. These findings indicate that α-MSH is an ancient and highly conserved hormone and it is extensively distributed in amphioxus. Although Hatschek's pit in amphioxus does not have a structure of the intermediate lobe of vertebrate adenohypophysis, it has already hosted α-MSH-like endocrine cells, implying that the functional differentiation of α-MSH-like cells occurred earlier than the differentiation of the tissue structure. The results of the present study provided a new evidence for the endocrinology of Hatschek's pit and for the origin and evolution of vertebrate adenohypophysis.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek's pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek's pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek''s pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek's pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek's pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

Neuroendocrine regulation of structure and function in the endostyle of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using histological and histochemical methods the structure of the endostyle in amphioxus at different gonadal developmental stages is studied, and the immunocytochemical localization of thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyrotropin (TSH) in the endostyle, Hatschek's pit and brain vesicle is investigated. The results not only confirm the previous report that the endostyle is composed of 6 zones and the cells of zone 5 are thyroid hormone synthesizing cells, but also find the thyroxine synthesis in and secretion from zone 3. In addition, the epithelial cells in Hatschek's pit and the neural cells in brain vesicle are immunopositive for TSH, and the immunoactivity is correlated with gonadal cycle. The present study may provide morphological proof for the hypothesis that the secretory activity of thyroid cells is regulated by TSH from Hatschek's pit and brain vesicle.     

Distribution of growth hormone-like immunoreactive cells and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek''''s pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using immunohistochemical method and double staining technique, the localization of growth hormone (GH) and somatostatin receptors in the nervous system and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus has been investigated. The results showed that the growth hormone-like nerve cells and endocrine cells as well as three subtypes of somatostatin receptors exist in the nervous system and Hatschek s pit, and GH-like nerve cells and endocrine cells co-exist with three subtypes of somatostatin receptors in the brain vesicle and Hatschek s pit. It is suggested that a primitive control system of inhibitory growth hormone secretion in Hatschek s pit could have been developed in amphioxus, as in vertebrates. The present study provides new evidence for the endocrinology and the evolution of Hatschek's pit.     

mmunohistochemical localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRHR) in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and gonads of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) anti-idiotypic antibodies and APA im-munohistochemical method, the immunoreactivity of GnRHR in the nervous system, Hatschek's pit and gonads of amphioxus has been located. It is found for the first time that the immunoreactivity of GnRHR exists in the nerve cells and fibers in the amphioxus's brain and nerve tube and the epithelial cells of Hatschek's pit at the different stages of gonadal development. At the same time, it is also found that GnRHR also exists in the ovary and testis of different developed stages. These findings provide morphological new proof for the informative transfer and regulation between brain and Hatschek's pit mediation by GnRHR, and for the understanding of the mechanism of action on the reproductive endocrine control axis among brain-Hatschek's pit-go-nads.     

Immunohistochemical localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors (GnRHR) in the nervous system, Hatschek’s pit and gonads of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

Using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) anti-idiotypic antibodies and APA immunohistochemical method, the immunoreactivity of GnRHR in the nervous system, Hatschek’s pit and gonads of amphioxus has been located. It is found for the first time that the immunoreactivity of GnRHR exists in the nerve cells and fibers in the amphioxus’s brain and nerve tube and the epithelial cells of Hatschek’s pit at the different stages of gonadal development. At the same time, it is also found that GnRHR also exists in the ovary and testis of different developed stages. These findings provide morphological new proof for the informative transfer and regulation between brain and Hatschek’s pit mediation by GnRHR, and for the understanding of the mechanism of action on the reproductive endocrine control axis among brain-Hatschek’s pit-gonads.     

Immunolocalization of aromatase, estrogen and estrogen receptor α and β in the epithelium of digestive tract and enteric neurons of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri )

Immunohistochemical localization of aromatase, estrogen and estrogen receptor in the digestive tract and enteric neurons of amphioxus is investigated. It was found that immunoreactive proteins of aromatase, estrogen and ER-α and β are expressed in hepatic diverticulum, epithelial cells of anterior and posterior region of midgut, as well as in enteric neurons, while hindgut showed immunonegative. The results suggest that digestive tract of amphioxus may be able to synthesize estrogen and possess endocrine function, like rat gastric epithelium and enteric neurons in mammals. The present study provides authentic morphological evidence for explaining the action mechanism of estrogen in regulating the digestive function of gut and the functional evolution of estrogen, which has important theoretical significance in amphioxus.     

Position in the evolution of reproductive endocrine of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

This review summarizes the recent discoveries of many authors who found that in amphioxus Hatschek’s pit is capable of synthesizing vertebrate gonadotropin-like substance, and that the content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the amphioxus’ body shows a positive correlation with the reproductive cycle, and that the sex steroid hormone exists in gonads. Exogenous hormones could promote gonadal development, maturation and reproductive activity in amphioxus. A possible implication might be that the reproductive activity in amphioxus is regulated by reproductive hormones like vertebrate, indicating the existence of primitive reproductive endocrine regulatory axis, brain vesicle-Hatschek’s pit-gonads axis, as compared with regulatory axis of vertebrate. It will provide a new line for establishing the position of reproductive endocrine evolution in lancelet.     

Effects of damage of Hatschek’s pit of amphioxus on its structure and function

It is found for the first time that, after the structure and endocrine function of Hatschek’s pit ofBranchiostoma belcheri are damaged by monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment in breeding season, the ovulation of mature ovary, as well as the development of both ovary and testis of large-growth stage are obstructed and stagnated; and in non-breeding season, the process of gonadal development is delayed. The disturbed ovulation and gonadal development can definitely be restored with exogenous gonadotropic hormone as the therapeutical substitute. These results may provide new proof for the complete understanding of the evolutional process of pituitary function in vertebrates and playing an important role in the reproductive endocrine control system of Hatschek’s pit of amphioxus.     

Innervation of the ovary in amphioxus: ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

The distribution of unmyelinated nerve fiber in the ovary of amphioxus was found with transmission electron microscopic technique for the first time. The fiber is located under the ovary coat, and in close contact with it. There are two types of synaptic vesicles in the terminals of nerve fiber: one is durse-cored vesicle, the other is clear vesicle. In addition, the nerve terminals contact with follicle cells of ovary can be seen. Using immunohistochemical method. it is further demonstrated that the unmyelited nerve fiber nlay be a noradrenergic nerve fiber which is located on the ovary coat and follicle cell.     

Localization and expression of LHβmRNA in the brain and Hatschek's pit of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri

To determine whether gonadotropin-like substance in the brain and Hatschek' s pit of amphioxus issynthesized by the tissue in situ or transported from other tissue, a histochemical study was carried out by in situ hy- bridization using digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled LHβRNAprobes. The results showed that LHβmRNA expressed in the nerve cells of brain and the epithelial cells of Hatschek' s pit, thus providing new evidence for the homology of pituitary of ver- tebrates with Hatschek' s pit and the functional evolution of gonadotropin.     

Protochordate amphioxus is an emerging model organism for comparative immunology

Protochordate amphioxus is an extant invertebrate regarded quite recently as a basal chordate. It has a vertebrate-like body plan including a circulation system with an organization similar to that of vertebrates. However, amphioxus is less complex than vertebrates for having a genome uncomplicated by extensive genomic duplication, and lacking lymphoid organs and free circulating blood cells. Recent studies on immunity have demonstrated the presence in amphioxus of both the constituent elements of key molecules involved in adaptive immunity such as proto-major histocompatibility complex (proto-MHC), V region-containing chitin-binding protein (VCBP) and V and C domain-bearing protein (VCP), and the complement system operating via the alternative and lectin pathways resembling those seen in vertebrates. In addition, the acute phase response profile in amphioxus has been shown to be similar to that observed in vertebrates. These findings together with the relative structural and genomic simplicity make amphioxus an ideal organism for gaining insights into the origin and evolution of the vertebrate immune system, especially adaptive immunity, and the composition and mechanisms of the vertebrate innate immunity.     

Immunorecognition of estrogen and androgen receptors in the brain and thoracic ganglion mass of mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

The brain and the thoracic ganglion of crustacean can synthesize and secrete gonad-stimulating hormone (GSH) which stimulates the maturation of gonad. In the previous experiments, sex steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, etc.) have been detected from crustacean. However, the feedback regulation of sex steroid hormones on the brain and thoracic ganglion of crustacean has not been reported so far. In the present experiment, monoclonal antibodies were applied to investigate the immunorecognition of estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in the brain and thoracic ganglion mass of Scylla paramamosain. The results showed that the distribution of the immunopositive substances of ER and AR was extremely similar. They distributed in the protocerebrum, deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum of the brain, and mainly in protocerebrum. In the thoracic ganglion mass, immunopositive substances distributed in the subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglion and abdomen ganglion, and mostly in subesophageal ganglion. Immunopositive substances of ER and AR mostly existed in the cytoplasm of neurons. The present study will provide morphological evidence for the origin and evolution of ER and AR. In addition, the immunoreactivities of ER and AR suggested that the estrogen and androgen may be involved in the feedback regulation of crustacean neuroendocrine.     

Immunorecognition of estrogen and androgen receptors in the brain and thoracic ganglion mass of mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

The brain and the thoracic ganglion of a crustacean can synthesize and secrete gonad-stimulating hormone (GSH) which stimulates the maturation of gonad. In the previous experiments, sex steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, etc.) have been detected from the crustacean. However, the feedback regulation of sex steroid hormones on the brain and the thoracic ganglion of the crustacean has not been reported so far. In the present experiment, monoclonal antibodies were applied to investigate the immunorecognition of estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in the brain and the thoracic ganglion mass of Scylla paramamosain. The results showed that the distribution of the immunopositive substances of ER and AR was extremely similar. They distributed in the protocerebrum, deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum of the brain, and mainly in protocerebrum. In the thoracic ganglion mass, immunopositive substances distributed in the subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglion and abdominal ganglion, and mostly in subesophageal ganglion. Immunopositive substances of ER and AR mostly existed in the cytoplasm of neurons. The present study will provide morphological evidence for the origin and the evolution of ER and AR. In addition, the immunoreactivities of ER and AR suggested that the estrogen and androgen may be involved in the feedback regulation of crustacean neuroendocrine.     

Immunorecognition of estrogen and androgen receptors in the brain and thoracic ganglion mass of mud crab, Scylla paramamosain

The brain and the thoracic ganglion of crustacean can synthesize and secrete gonad-stimulating hormone (GSH) which stimulates the maturation of gonad. In the previous experiments, sex steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, etc.) have been detected from crustacean. However, the feedback regulation of sex steroid hormones on the brain and thoracic ganglion of crustacean has not been reported so far. In the present experiment, monoclonal antibodies were applied to investigate the immunorecognition of estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in the brain and thoracic ganglion mass of Scylla paramamosain. The results showed that the distribution of the immunopositive substances of ER and AR was extremely similar. They distributed in the protocerebrum, deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum of the brain, and mainly in protocerebrum. In the thoracic ganglion mass, immunopositive substances distributed in the subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglion and abdomen ganglion, and mostly in subesophageal ganglion. Immunopositive substances of ER and AR mostly existed in the cytoplasm of neurons. The present study will provide morphological evidence for the origin and evolution of ER and AR. In addition, the immunoreactivities of ER and AR suggested that the estrogen and androgen may be involved in the feedback regulation of crustacean neuroendocrine.     

大鼠端脑神经元型一氧化氮合酶免疫阳性神经元的分布

目的 :观察大鼠端脑神经元型一氧化氮合酶 (nNOS)免疫阳性神经元的分布。方法 :ABC免疫细胞化学法显示大鼠端脑nNOS阳性神经元。结果 :nNOS阳性神经元呈棕褐色 ,胞体的形态多样化 ,呈梭形、三角形、圆形等多种形状 ,突起有一个或多个 ;阳性纤维呈棕色串珠状 ,个别脑区阳性纤维相互交织成网。端脑nNOS免疫阳性神经元主要分布于嗅结节 (包括海马回 )、梨状区 (包括梨状皮质和梨状核 )、斜角带、隔区、杏仁复合体、海马结构、尾壳核和苍白球 ,以及大脑皮质等各个部位 ,其中以大脑皮质、梨状区和斜角带、尾壳核等部位最为丰富。结论 :大鼠端脑内分布有丰富的nNOS阳性神经元 ,它们可能通过调节神经递质的分泌 ,参与脑的高级整合功能。     

Conservation and elaboration of Hox gene regulation during evolution of the vertebrate head

The comparison of Hox genes between vertebrates and their closest invertebrate relatives (amphioxus and ascidia) highlights two derived features of Hox genes in vertebrates: duplication of the Hox gene cluster, and an elaboration of Hox expression patterns and roles compared with non-vertebrate chordates. We have investigated how new expression domains and their associated developmental functions evolved, by testing the cis-regulatory activity of genomic DNA fragments from the cephalochordate amphioxus Hox cluster in transgenic mouse and chick embryos. Here we present evidence for the conservation of cis-regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression in the neural tube for half a billion years of evolution, including a dependence on retinoic acid signalling. We also identify amphioxus Hox gene regulatory elements that drive spatially localized expression in vertebrate neural crest cells, in derivatives of neurogenic placodes and in branchial arches, despite the fact that cephalochordates lack both neural crest and neurogenic placodes. This implies an elaboration of cis-regulatory elements in the Hox gene cluster of vertebrate ancestors during the evolution of craniofacial patterning.     

小鼠胃肠道5-羟色胺免疫反应阳性肥大细胞

利用免疫组化技术和甲苯胺蓝(TB)染色技术,对小鼠胃肠道5-羟色胺免疫反应阳性细胞(5-HT+细胞)、肥大细胞(MC)和5-羟色胺免疫反应阳性肥大细胞(5-HT+MC)进行了研究.结果表明:小鼠胃肠中5-HT+细胞多分布于黏膜上皮细胞之间、腺泡上皮细胞之间和固有层内;MC多分布于黏膜层和黏膜下层结缔组织之中;小鼠胃和小肠中分别有49%和47%的MC与免疫组化染色的邻片中5-HT+细胞在位置上相对应,该部分MC为5-HT+MC;小鼠胃和小肠中分别有24%和20%的5-HT+细胞为MC.本文从形态学的角度证明了小鼠胃肠道MC可分泌5-HT,MC是消化道5-HT的来源之一.