Immunohistochemical identification of corticotropin releasing factor-containing neurons projecting to the stalk-median eminence of the rat

doi:10.1016/0196-9781(88)90169-6

Peptides

Volume 9, Issue 3, May–June 1988, Pages 589-593

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Abstract

The site of origin of CRF-containing projections to the rat median eminence was studied with immunofluorescence for CRF in combination with the retrograde transport of True blue. After the injection of True blue into the median eminence, retrogradely-labeled CRF producing neurons were identified in the medial division of the paraventricular nucleus and the periventricular nucleus. CRF neurons in the preoptic region had no positive dye. The present findings demonstrate that CRF neurons in the paraventricular and periventricular nuclei project directly to the median eminence.

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Cited by (21)

CRFR1 in AgRP Neurons Modulates Sympathetic Nervous System Activity to Adapt to Cold Stress and Fasting
2016, Cell Metabolism
Citation Excerpt :
CRF is expressed in diverse brain regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, and CeA (Swanson et al., 1983). Yet the immediate candidate for Arc-CRFR1 neurons innervations is CRF arising from the PVN, either directly or as collaterals of CRF neurons projecting to the median eminence (Niimi et al., 1988). To examine this hypothesis, we injected a viral vector encoding a Cre-dependent mCherry reporter fused to synaptophysin into the PVN of CRF-Cre mice (Taniguchi et al., 2011), which were crossed with CRFR1-GFP mice.
Signaling by the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRFR1) plays an important role in mediating the autonomic response to stressful challenges. Multiple hypothalamic nuclei regulate sympathetic outflow. Although CRFR1 is highly expressed in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus, the identity of these neurons and the role of CRFR1 here are presently unknown. Our studies show that nearly half of Arc-CRFR1 neurons coexpress agouti-related peptide (AgRP), half of which originate from POMC precursors. Arc-CRFR1 neurons are innervated by CRF neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and CRF application decreases AgRP⁺CRFR1⁺ neurons’ excitability. Despite similar anatomy in both sexes, only female mice selectively lacking CRFR1 in AgRP neurons showed a maladaptive thermogenic response to cold and reduced hepatic glucose production during fasting. Thus, CRFR1, in a subset of AgRP neurons, plays a regulatory role that enables appropriate sympathetic nervous system activation and consequently protects the organism from hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
Spatiotemporal patterns of secretomotor neuron generation in the parvicellular neuroendocrine system
1997, Brain Research Reviews
Spatiotemporal patterns of parvicellular neurosecretory neuron generation (birthdates) were determined in the young adult male rat using a triple fluorescence labeling method. The six classic phenotypes were identified in histological sections with rabbit antisera to neurotransmitters (or related enzymes), nuclear bromodeoxyuridine was detected with a mouse monoclonal antibody, and an axonal projection to the median eminence was determined with the fluorescent retrograde tracer fast blue. The vast majority of triply labeled neurons are generated between embryonic days 12–14, during the time when magnocellular neurosecretory neurons are also generated. This pattern of neurogenesis is distinct from the well-known `outside-in' pattern of hypothalamic neurogenesis, where the peak of lateral zone birthdates occurs on embryonic days 12 and 13, the peak of medial zone birthdates occurs on embryonic days 14 and 15, and the peak of periventricular zone birthdates occurs on embryonic days 16 and 17. Thus, neuroendocrine motoneurons may constitute `pioneer neurons' for the various anatomically distinct regions of the periventricular zone. In addition, many intermixed neurons that express the same neurotransmitters as parvicellular neurosecretory neurons but do not send an axon to the median eminence, also appear to be generated sbetween embryonic days 12 and 14. What these results imply about mechanisms underlying neuroendocrine motor zone differentiation is discussed.
Induction of Fos protein in the rat hypothalamus elicited by insulin-induced hypoglycemia
1995, Neuroscience Research
To evaluate the responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia of neurons in vivo, we studied Fos protein induction in the brain by means of immunohistochemistry. The induction of Fos protein was maximum after the first injection of insulin for 3 h. This induction was found in the parvocellular division of paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the periventricular, dorsomedial and arcuate nuclei and the lateral hypothalamic area of the hypothalamus. These findings show the activation of specific subsets of neurons in areas of the hypothalamus following hypoglycemic stimulation.
Corticotropin releasing factor and galanin-containing neurons projecting to the median eminence of the rat
1992, Neuroscience Research
To identify corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)- and galanin (GAL)-containing neurons projecting to the median eminence, a retrograde tracing method with True blue was combined with a double-staining method. It was demonstrated that some True blue-labeled CRF neurons in the paraventricular nucleus were also immunoreactive for GAL. These findings support the hypothesis that GAL and CRF are simultaneously involved in regulation of ACTH secretion from the anterior pituitary.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone-containing neurons in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system in rats six weeks after bilateral lesions of the paraventricular nucleus
1991, Neuroscience
Corticotropin-releasing factor-like immunoreactive nerve fibers and varicosities are present in the pituitary stalk and median eminence 6 weeks after bilateral lesioning of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The total immunoreactivity may reach 10% of the control density. The origin of these fibers was investigated 3 days after hypothalamic transections in paraventricular-lesioned (6 weeks postoperatively) rats. Accumulations of corticotropin-releasing factor immunostaining were observed in the proximal portions of the transected axons and in neuronal perikarya. Fibers with retrograde labeling were seen lateral and dorsolateral from the sagittally oriented knife cuts which transected the retrochiasmatic area and cells were found in the supraoptic nucleus and in the perifornical nucleus (dorsal-dorsolateral to the fornix), ipsilateral to the lesion. No corticotropin-releasing factor immunostained cells were seen in other hypothalamic or preoptic nuclei which project to the median eminence or the posterior pituitary.
Corticotropin-releasing factor containing cells in the supraoptic and perifornical nuclei may have an importance in stress response in rats with long-term paraventricular lesions.
Retrograde labeling of hypophysiotropic neurons by local injection of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) into the median eminence or peripheral administration of fluoro-gold
1990, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
The localization of neuronal perikarya which have axon terminals on capillaries of the external zone of the median eminence (hypophysiotropic neurons) has been determined in the rat after injection of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) directly into external zone of the median eminence or after peripheral injection of Fluoro-Gold. The retrogradely transported WGA and endogenous peptides (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, galanin, or neurotensin) have been detected by double-labeling immunocytochemical techniques (PAP or ABS) using contrasting chromogens. Retrograde labeling with Fluro-Gold has been combined with fluoroscence immunocuytochemistry, using Texas red as the second chromogen. A few examples of triple labeling (Fluoro-Gold and two endogenous peptides) are also demonstrated. Detailed descriptions of double-labeling techniques, including preparation and administration of the tracers and simultaneous detection of the retrograde tracers and endogenous peptides, are presented.

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ArticleImmunohistochemical identification of corticotropin releasing factor-containing neurons projecting to the stalk-median eminence of the rat

Abstract

Neurosci Lett

Regul Pept

Life Sci

Brain Res

Neurosci Lett

Brain Res

Regul Pept

Effect of paraventricular lesions on corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity in the stalk-median eminence: Studies on the adrenocoticotropin response to ether stress and exogenous CRF

Endocrinolgoy

Fluorescent antibody methods

Article
Immunohistochemical identification of corticotropin releasing factor-containing neurons projecting to the stalk-median eminence of the rat