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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Immunohistochemical Analysis in the Rat Central Nervous System and Peripheral Lymph Node Tissue Sections
Published on: November 14, 2016
Perinuclear localization of biogenic amines (serotonin and histamine) in rat immune cells
1Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1445 Budapest, Hungary. csagyor@dgci.sote.hu <csagyor@dgci.sote.hu>
Insights
This study reveals immune cells contain histamine and serotonin (5-HT) near the nucleus. Histamine was also found within the nucleus of thymocytes, suggesting a novel role for these biogenic amines.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Biogenic amines like histamine and serotonin (5-HT) are crucial signaling molecules.
- Their presence and localization within immune cells, particularly in relation to the nucleus, remain areas of active investigation.
- Understanding immune cell biogenic amine localization may offer insights into immune regulation and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perinuclear and nuclear localization of histamine and serotonin (5-HT) in immune cells.
- To utilize specific chemical fixation and enzyme inhibition techniques to visualize these amines.
- To compare the cellular distribution patterns of histamine and serotonin within immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Employing EDAC fixation to polymerize biogenic amines within immune cells.
- Using clorgyline to inhibit monoamine oxidase, thereby enhancing amine detection.
- Applying immunocytochemistry combined with confocal microscopy for high-resolution imaging.
- Analyzing immune cells from rat peritoneal fluid (lymphocytes) and thymus (thymocytes).
Main Results:
- EDAC fixation successfully demonstrated the presence of biogenic amines in immune cells.
- Distinct perinuclear localization patterns were observed for both histamine and serotonin.
- Serotonin (5-HT) appeared as spots in lymphocytes and patches in thymocytes.
- Histamine showed diffuse localization in lymphocytes and a distinct garland around the nuclear envelope in thymocytes.
- Clorgyline treatment enhanced histamine fluorescence and revealed nuclear localization in thymocytes.
Conclusions:
- EDAC fixation is effective for demonstrating biogenic amine presence and perinuclear localization in immune cells.
- Histamine and serotonin exhibit differential localization patterns within immune cells.
- Evidence suggests nuclear localization of histamine in thymocytes, warranting further investigation.
- The findings highlight the potential significance of nuclear and perinuclear biogenic amines in immune cell function.
Abstract:
EDAC fixation, which polymerizes biogenic amines, and clorgyline, which blocks monoamine oxydase, were used to demonstrate the perinuclear and nuclear localization of histamine and serotonin (5-HT) of immune cells in rat peritoneal fluid and thymus. For detection, an immunocytochemical method combined with confocal microscopy was used. In peritoneal cells (lymphocytes) 5-HT formed spots around the nucleus, while histamine was localized diffusely. In thymocytes, 5-HT was distributed in patches, while histamine formed a garland around the nuclear envelope. Clorgyline enhanced the fluorescence and increased the number of fluorescent positive cells only for histamine, and then histamine-positive nuclei were also present. The results show that: (1) EDAC fixation demonstrates the presence of biogenic amines in immune cells, (2) using this fixation, the perinuclear localization of biogenic amines can be demonstrated, (3) the localization of the two amines is different and (4) the nuclear localization of histamine in thymocytes can be surmised and in mast cells (described previously) is proven again. The potential importance of the nuclear and near-nuclear localization of biogenic amines is discussed.
