DISTRIBUTION OF CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE IMMUNOREACTIVE NERVE FIBERS IN THE SPLEEN OF RAT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

In this study, the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) nerve fibers in the spleen of the rat was investigated by using the immunohistochemical ABC method combined with glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel enhancement technique. The results showed that the rat spleen was richly innervated by CGRP-IR fibers. The nerve fibers containing CGRP were mainly distributed in the red pulp, especially surrounding the splenic sinusoid and small blood vessels. They were also observed in the lymphoid tissue of marginal zone, and occasionally in the periarterial lymphatic sheath (PALS). The positive fibers distributed in the spleen, which suggested that the fibers might modulate the development and function of splenic lymphocytes.