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B2 bradykinin receptor immunoreactivity in rat brain
E Y Chen1, D F Emerich, R T Bartus
1Research Center for Brain Repair and Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Presbyterian Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|October 24, 2000
Summary
The bradykinin B2 receptor is widely expressed in rat brain neurons, indicating a significant role for bradykinin in central nervous system functions. This study mapped the receptor
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bradykinin is present in the central nervous system and may mediate specific functions.
- The cellular distribution of the bradykinin B2 receptor in the brain is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cellular localization of the bradykinin B2 receptor in the rat brain.
- To investigate the cell types expressing the bradykinin B2 receptor.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a monoclonal antibody against the human bradykinin B2 receptor C-terminus.
- Performed immunohistochemistry on rat brain tissue.
- Conducted double-labeling experiments with neuronal (NeuN) and astrocytic (GFAP) markers.
Main Results:
- Bradykinin B2 receptor immunoreactivity was found ubiquitously in neurons across various brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem.
- Immunoreactivity was also detected in circumventricular organs like the choroid plexus and subfornical organ.
- Double-labeling confirmed that nearly all bradykinin B2 receptor-expressing cells were neurons, with minimal expression in astrocytes.
Conclusions:
- The bradykinin B2 receptor is predominantly expressed in neurons throughout the rat brain.
- This widespread neuronal distribution suggests a more substantial role for bradykinin in neuronal function than previously recognized.
