Immunohistochemical localization of amylin in rat brainstem

Immunohistochemical studies were conducted on rat brainstem using a specifi c polyclonal antiserum against the COOH-terminal (25-37) of human amylin. A mylin-immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the vestibular, cochlear, trapezoid, and inner cerebellar nuclei and in the mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve. Positive cell bodies were also found in lateral, giganto cellular and magnocellular reticular nuclei. Numerous amylin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were shown in the trigeminal spinal tract, in the solitary ar ea and in the area postrema. Amylin-immunoreactive cell bodies were often s urrounded by a network of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive nerve fibers. These results provide morphologic evidence that amylin may play a role in some discrete sensory functions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.