Versatile, high-resolution anterograde labeling of vagal efferent projections with dextran amines
- PMID:19056424
- PMCID: PMC2669780
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.11.003
Versatile, high-resolution anterograde labeling of vagal efferent projections with dextran amines
Abstract
None of the anterograde tracers used to label and investigate vagal preganglionic neurons projecting to the viscera has proved optimal for routine and extensive labeling of autonomic terminal fields. To identify an alternative tracer protocol, the present experiment evaluated whether dextran conjugates, which have produced superior results in the CNS, might yield widespread and effective labeling of long, fine-caliber vagal efferents in the peripheral nervous system. The dextran conjugates that were evaluated proved reliable and versatile for labeling the motor neuron pool in its entirety, for single- and multiple-labeling protocols, for both conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy, and for permanent labeling protocols for brightfield microscopy of the projections to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Using a standard ABC kit followed by visualization with DAB as the chromagen, Golgi-like labeling of the vagal efferent terminal fields in the GI wall was achieved with the biotinylated dextrans. The definition of individual terminal varicosities was so sharp and detailed that it was routinely practical to examine the relationship of putative vagal efferent contacts (by the criteria of high magnification light microscopy) with the dendritic and somatic architecture of counterstained neurons in the myenteric plexus. Overall, dextran conjugates provide high-definition labeling of an extensive vagal motor pool in the GI tract, and offer considerable versatility when multiple-staining protocols are needed to elucidate the complexities of the innervation of the gut.
Figures



Similar articles
- Alpha-synuclein-immunopositive myenteric neurons and vagal preganglionic terminals: autonomic pathway implicated in Parkinson's disease?Phillips RJ, Walter GC, Wilder SL, Baronowsky EA, Powley TL.Phillips RJ, et al.Neuroscience. 2008 May 15;153(3):733-50. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.02.074. Epub 2008 Mar 18.Neuroscience. 2008.PMID:18407422Free PMC article.
- Simultaneous labeling of vagal innervation of the gut and afferent projections from the visceral forebrain with dil injected into the dorsal vagal complex in the rat.Berthoud HR, Jedrzejewska A, Powley TL.Berthoud HR, et al.J Comp Neurol. 1990 Nov 1;301(1):65-79. doi: 10.1002/cne.903010107.J Comp Neurol. 1990.PMID:1706359
- Vagal preganglionic axons arborize in the myenteric plexus into two types: nitrergic and non-nitrergic postganglionic motor pools?Jaffey DM, McAdams JL, Baronowsky EA, Black D, Powley TL.Jaffey DM, et al.Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2023 Mar 1;324(3):R305-R316. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00260.2022. Epub 2023 Jan 9.Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2023.PMID:36622086Free PMC article.
- Pathway tracing using biotinylated dextran amines.Reiner A, Veenman CL, Medina L, Jiao Y, Del Mar N, Honig MG.Reiner A, et al.J Neurosci Methods. 2000 Nov 15;103(1):23-37. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0270(00)00293-4.J Neurosci Methods. 2000.PMID:11074093Review.
- Vagal innervation of the stomach reassessed: brain-gut connectome uses smart terminals.Powley TL, Jaffey DM, McAdams J, Baronowsky EA, Black D, Chesney L, Evans C, Phillips RJ.Powley TL, et al.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Oct;1454(1):14-30. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14138. Epub 2019 Jul 3.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019.PMID:31268562Free PMC article.Review.
Cited by
- Organization of vagal afferents in pylorus: mechanoreceptors arrayed for high sensitivity and fine spatial resolution?Powley TL, Hudson CN, McAdams JL, Baronowsky EA, Martin FN, Mason JK, Phillips RJ.Powley TL, et al.Auton Neurosci. 2014 Jul;183:36-48. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2014.02.008. Epub 2014 Mar 6.Auton Neurosci. 2014.PMID:24656895Free PMC article.
- Central nervous system control of gastrointestinal motility and secretion and modulation of gastrointestinal functions.Browning KN, Travagli RA.Browning KN, et al.Compr Physiol. 2014 Oct;4(4):1339-68. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c130055.Compr Physiol. 2014.PMID:25428846Free PMC article.Review.
- Short-pulsed micro-magnetic stimulation of the vagus nerve.Jeong H, Cho A, Ay I, Bonmassar G.Jeong H, et al.Front Physiol. 2022 Oct 7;13:938101. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.938101. eCollection 2022.Front Physiol. 2022.PMID:36277182Free PMC article.
- Age-related changes in vagal afferents innervating the gastrointestinal tract.Phillips RJ, Walter GC, Powley TL.Phillips RJ, et al.Auton Neurosci. 2010 Feb 16;153(1-2):90-8. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2009.07.009. Epub 2009 Aug 7.Auton Neurosci. 2010.PMID:19665435Free PMC article.Review.
- Individual sympathetic postganglionic neurons coinnervate myenteric ganglia and smooth muscle layers in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat.Walter GC, Phillips RJ, McAdams JL, Powley TL.Walter GC, et al.J Comp Neurol. 2016 Sep 1;524(13):2577-603. doi: 10.1002/cne.23978. Epub 2016 Feb 24.J Comp Neurol. 2016.PMID:26850701Free PMC article.
References
- Berthoud HR. Anatomical demonstration of vagal input to nicotinamide acetamide dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase-positive (nitrergic) neurons in rat fundic stomach. J Comp Neurol. 1995;358:428–439. - PubMed
- Berthoud HR. Morphological analysis of vagal input to gastrin releasing peptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide containing neurons in the rat glandular stomach. J Comp Neurol. 1996;370:61–70. - PubMed
- Berthoud HR, Carlson NR, Powley TL. Topography of efferent vagal innervation of the rat gastrointestinal tract. Am J Physiol. 1991;260:R200–207. - PubMed
- Berthoud HR, Jedrzejewska A, Powley TL. Simultaneous labeling of vagal innervation of the gut and afferent projections from the visceral forebrain with dil injected into the dorsal vagal complex in the rat. J Comp Neurol. 1990;301:65–79. - PubMed
- Chang HT. Immunoperoxidase labeling of the anterograde tracer fluoro-ruby (tetramethylrhodamine-dextran amine conjugate) Brain Res Bull. 1993;30:115–118. - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Related information
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous