Immunohistochemical study of cat Pacinian corpuscles: co-localization of vimentin- and S-100 protein-like in the inner core.

The presence of vimentin and S-100 protein in cat Pacinian corpuscles of cat mesentery has been investigated immunohistochemically (streptavidin-biotin method) using monoclonal antibodies. A positive reaction for both vimentin- and S-100 protein-like was found only in the lamellae of the inner core. The presence of vimentin and the co-expression of vimentin/S-100 protein-like in sensory corpuscles is reported for the first time. The authors discuss the origin of the inner core and capsule of sensory corpuscles on the basis of their immunohistochemical characteristics.

Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein-like and S-100 protein like immunoreactivities on cartilages of the rat vestibulum nasi. Post-natal development changes.

The cartilages of vestibulum nasi in rats of different ages (newborns, 1 week, 1 month and 12 months old) were studied immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein. The immunoreaction for both GFAP and S-100 protein results positive in a variable number of chondrocytes. The number of chondrocytes displaying GFAP-like immunoreaction does not change during development and maturation, whereas those showing S-100 protein-like immunoreactivity increase from birth to the adult state. The formation of cartilaginous tissue from neuroectodermic cells of neural crest has been postulated by several authors and our results strongly support these opinions; moreover, according to present findings S-100 protein could be involved in chondroid tissue formation.

[Microscopic innervation of the spermatic ducts and testis. II. Ductus epididymis]. / Inervación microscópica de las vías espermáticas y testículo. II. Ductus epididymis.

The microscopic innervation of the ductus epididymis in the rat has been studied both in light and electron microscope. The nerve fibres form perivascular, intramuscular and subepithelial plexuses. Occasionally sensory formations were observed in the adventitia of the cauda epididymis. The innervation is more abundant in the cauda epididymis than in the other segments (caput and corpus). The varicosities and endings of nerve fibres have synaptic vesicles of different sizes and electron characteristics. Some of the varicosities were close to the muscle cells and without glial sheath. The epithelial cells were not directly innervated.