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Related Experiment Videos

Rat pineal cell aggregates: ultrastructural and functional characteristics

V Shacoori1, N A Khan, B Saiag

  • 1Laboratoire de Physiologie Pharmaceutique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Rennes, France.

Brain Research Bulletin
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created functional, three-dimensional rat pineal gland cell aggregates. These tissue-like structures mimic in vivo characteristics, secreting melatonin and responding to adrenergic agonists and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • The pineal gland produces melatonin, regulating circadian rhythms.
  • Maintaining pinealocyte function in vitro is challenging.
  • Tissue-like structures may better preserve in vivo cell characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop functional, three-dimensional aggregates from isolated rat pineal gland cells.
  • To characterize the structural and functional properties of these aggregates in culture.
  • To assess melatonin secretion and its regulation in the aggregates.

Main Methods:

  • Adult rat pineal gland cells were aggregated via gyratory shaking.
  • Aggregates were cultured and analyzed for structural organization and ultrastructure.

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  • Melatonin and indole amine secretion were measured using static incubation.
  • Secretion was stimulated using adrenergic agonists (Isoproterenol, Epinephrine) and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Forskolin.

    • Main Results:

    • Aggregates (60-120 microns) formed organized, tissue-like structures within 4-5 days.
    • Ultrastructural analysis revealed granular lysosomes, indicative of active secretion.
    • Aggregates secreted melatonin and indole amines, with basal release detected up to Day 24.
    • Significant secretory stimulation was observed with Isoproterenol (230%), Epinephrine (725%), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (140%), and Forskolin (>1200%).

    Conclusions:

    • Three-dimensional aggregates of isolated pineal gland cells represent functional multicellular structures.
    • These aggregates exhibit characteristics similar to those observed in vivo.
    • The model system is suitable for studying pineal gland physiology and melatonin secretion regulation.