Abstract
Some epicardial ganglion neurons may have a sensory function, transmitting information from the heart surface to the ganglia. In dorsal root ganglia, all somatic and visceral sensory neurons are glutamatergic, therefore, we asked if glutamatergic markers could identify sensory neurons in the rat epicardial ganglia. We examined vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) and glutaminase (GLS) immunoreactivity in the rat epicardial ganglia. Tissue sections of epicardiac fat and atria were processed for VGLUT2 or GLS immunoreactivity along with peripherin. Immunoreactive (ir) VGLUT2 and GLS neurons were present in epicardiac ganglia and contacted by VGLUT2 and GLS ir nerve fibers. VGLUT2 and GLS nerve fibers occurred in adjacent atrial myocardium. Cell bodies and nerve fibers were peripherin ir. These results indicate that many rat epicardiac ganglion neurons are glutamatergic in nature. They contain GLS, enzyme for glutamate production, and VGLUT2, transporter for glutamate storage. Investigation of the glutamatergic phenotype of epicardiac ganglion cells may help in understanding the function of epicardial neurons in physiological and pathological conditions.Grant Funding Source : NIH AR047410
Published Version
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