Histochemistry and electrophysiology of cultured adult rabbit pancreatic neurons

Citation
Ja. Love et K. Szebeni, Histochemistry and electrophysiology of cultured adult rabbit pancreatic neurons, PANCREAS, 18(1), 1999, pp. 65-74
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
da verificare
Journal title
PANCREAS
ISSN journal
08853177 → ACNP
Volume
18
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
65 - 74
Database
ISI
SICI code
0885-3177(199901)18:1<65:HAEOCA>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Pancreatic neurons receive and integrate synaptic input from a wide variety of extrinsic nerves while providing the predominant innervation of pancrea tic acini, ducts, and islets of Langerhans. Here we report the first primar y cultures of adult rabbit pancreatic neurons, isolated from extrinsic nerv es and secretory cells, and evaluate the neurochemical and electrical prope rties of these neurons. Pancreatic cultures consisted of single and cluster ed neurons, extended varicose processes after 3-4 days in culture, and form ed interconnecting networks of neurons after 7-10 days. Isolated pancreatic islet cells, added to established neuron cultures, remained attached and v iable for several weeks and received innervation by varicose nerve fibers. Histochemical staining revealed populations of neurons positive for acetylc holinesterase (75%), NADPH-diaphorase (62%), nitric oxide synthase (73%), a nd/or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (65%). Intracellular recordings r evealed active and passive electrical properties comparable to those of neu rons from intact ganglia. Several distinct populations of neurons were iden tified by their firing patterns (phasic vs. tonic) in response to prolonged depolarizing currents or the amplitude and duration of their after-spike h yperpolarizations. Low-amplitude, pacemaker-like potentials were observed i n 25% of the neurons and, in older cultures with extensive networks of fibe rs, spontaneous fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) also occurr ed. Thus these cultures retained the salient neurochemical and electrophysi ologic properties observed in pancreatic neurons from intact ganglia and of fer a good model for studies of the intrinsic innervation of the pancreas.