SEMI QUANTITATIVE METHOD FOR CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE LOCALIZATION BY IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY AND ITS APPLICATION IN DETERMINING DISTRIBUTION OF CYCLIC-AMP IN LUNGS OF NORMAL AND PERTUSSIS-VACCINATED MICE FOLLOWING HISTAMINE OR EPINEPHRINE CHALLENGE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (4) , 233-244
Abstract
A method is described which allows quantitative comparison of c[cyclic]AMP content determined by immunocytochemical procedures. This technique was then employed to localize cAMP in lungs of normal and pertussis [Bordetella pertussis]-vaccinated mice following saline, histamine or epinephrine challenge. All primary pulmonary compartments contained some immunoreactive (cAMP) material. Epinephrine and histamine challenge selectively increased the cAMP content of the vasculature. No effect of epinephrine or histamine was detected in bronchial smooth muscle or interstitial tissue. This increased cAMP accumulation was observed in normal and pertussis-vaccinated mice following epinephrine challenge but only in pertussis-vaccinated mice after histamine administration. Apparently histamine and epinephrine stimulate cAMP accumulation in the same pulmonary compartments, supporting earlier speculation that histamine acts indirectly through epinephrine release. Primary involvement of the vasculature supports a more prominent role for this tissue in pertussis-mediated histamine hypersensitivity.