Characterization of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells by flow cytometry

Adrenomedullary chromaffin cells are neural crest derivatives widely used as a model system to study neurosecretory mechanisms. Morphological, immunohistochemical, and functional data indicate that chromaffin cells are heterogeneous and support the distinction between adrenaline (A)- and noradrenaline (NA)-producing and secreting cells. The aim of this study was to characterize by flow cytometry the two main chromaffin cell subtypes in suspensions of cultured bovine chromaffin cells.

An indirect immunofluorescence method was used for the specific labeling of two intracellular enzymes, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), involved in the synthesis of NA and A, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis of fluorescence labeling was performed in two chromaffin cell fractions differentially enriched in A-containing cells by centrifugation through density gradients. PNMT and DBH-related fluorescence was also correlated with the A and NA content of the cells assayed by HPLC measurements.

No significant differences were found in forward-side scatter plots between the two cell fractions (A-enriched cells and mixed cells); however, the degree of labeling of the enzymes and the corresponding PNMT/DBH-related fluorescence ratio was significantly greater in the A-enriched cell fraction. The existence of changes in DBH and PNMT content of chromaffin cells over time (1 week) in culture was also examined. No significant variation in enzyme related fluorescence values was detected in any of the two cell fractions, and this result correlated well with HPLC determinations of the catecholamine content (A and NA) of the cells.

Flow cytometry appears to be a useful technique to characterize chromaffin cell subtypes and to follow their phenotypic changes in response to growth factors.