Neuroepithelial Endocrine Cells in the Lung of Rana ridibunda: An Immunohistochemical Study

Authors: FÜSUN ÖZTAY, AYŞE TABAKOĞLU OĞUZ

Abstract: In this study, neuroepithelial endocrine cells were for the first time identified in the lung of Rana ridibunda. The presence of these cells was investigated using endocrine markers by the immunohistochemical method at the light microscopic level. Immunoreactive - cells containing serotonin, calcitonin, met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin were observed alone or in clusters within the respiratory epithelium. In general, clustered - cells containing serotonin were detected among the ciliated cells and goblet cells of the pseudostratified epithelium on apical dilation of the primary septa where the inhaled - air is first met. Among pneumocytes, single and clustered neuroepithelial endocrine cells display calcitonin, met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin immunoreactivity in the rest of the epithelium. All immunoreactive - cells have different functions in different regions of the lung in Rana ridibunda by the paracrine/endocrine pathway, taking into consideration their morphological properties, localization in the epithelium and distribution in the lung.

Keywords: Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, lung, immunohistochemistry, serotonin, calcitonin, enkephalins, Rana ridibunda

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