The aim of the present work was to study, by means of immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques, the presence and distribution of immunopositivity for orexin A and B (OXA and OXB) and orexin type 1 and 2 receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in the lacrimal gland of sheep as well as the gene expressions for prepro-orexin (PPOX) and cognate receptors. In serial sections, positive staining for OXA and OXB were localized in the same nervous fibers within the connective tissue septa. Positive staining for OX1R was evidenced in the wall of small arteries while that for OX2R was observed in the secretory portion of the acinar gland cells with a characteristic localization in the apical cytoplasm. RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of transcripts for PPOX, OX1R and OX2R in the sheep lacrimal gland; the gene expression of OX1R was two-fold greater (p < 0.01) than that of OX2R. Taken together the present findings raise intriguing questions on the potential role of the orexinergic system in the regulation of lacrimal gland functions that require further investigations.
Identification of orexins and cognate receptors in the lacrimal gland of sheep.
DALL'AGLIO, Cecilia
;MERCATI, FRANCESCA;MARANESI, MARGHERITA;BOITI, Cristiano
2012
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study, by means of immunohistochemical and RT-PCR techniques, the presence and distribution of immunopositivity for orexin A and B (OXA and OXB) and orexin type 1 and 2 receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in the lacrimal gland of sheep as well as the gene expressions for prepro-orexin (PPOX) and cognate receptors. In serial sections, positive staining for OXA and OXB were localized in the same nervous fibers within the connective tissue septa. Positive staining for OX1R was evidenced in the wall of small arteries while that for OX2R was observed in the secretory portion of the acinar gland cells with a characteristic localization in the apical cytoplasm. RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of transcripts for PPOX, OX1R and OX2R in the sheep lacrimal gland; the gene expression of OX1R was two-fold greater (p < 0.01) than that of OX2R. Taken together the present findings raise intriguing questions on the potential role of the orexinergic system in the regulation of lacrimal gland functions that require further investigations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
