Immunohistochemical mapping of angiotensin AT sub(1) receptors in the brain

• Published in: Regulatory peptides Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 95 - 107
• Main Authors: Phillips, MI, Shen, L, Richards, E M, Raizada, M K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1993
• ISSN: 0167-0115

A new approach to study angiotensin receptor distribution in the brain has been taken by developing antibodies to partial sequence of the angiotensin II (AII) type-1 receptor subtype (AT sub(1)) and demonstrating the presence of receptors with immunohistochemical staining. The antibody to a portion of the 3rd cytoplasmic loop of the AT sub(1) receptor revealed distinctive punctate immunoreactive staining on cell bodies. The cell bodies were distributed in the forebrain in paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis, median preoptic area and subfornical organ. In the brainstem, the entire locus coeruleus was stained, together with the adjacent mesencephalic and motor nuclei of the trigeminal nerve. The auditory system including the cochlear nucleus and superior olivary nuclei were stained. In the medulla, all the structures involved in blood pressure control were stained including the nucleus of the solitary tract, the 12th nerve nuclei, the rostroventral lateral area and the nucleus ambiguous. Sites where AT sub(2) receptors are located were not stained or staining was limited to specific area such as the medial accessory nucleus of the inferior olive.