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Possible regeneration of γ-aminobutyric acid-containing fibres into irides transplanted into the central nervous system

Nature volume 259, pages 567–570 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

IRIDES transplanted into the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat provide a good substrate for regenerative ingrowth of central noradrenergic and cholinergic fibres to ‘reinnervate’ the denervated iris1–3. Fluorescence histo-chemistry or acetylcholinesterase staining reveals that the regenerating noradrenergic or cholinergic fibres will produce an innervation that closely mimics the original noradrenergic or cholinergic innervation1–3. Physiological experiments4 on portal vein transplants indicate that functional adrenergic and cholinergic terminals are formed, and it seems likely that functional neuromuscular junctions are also re-established in the iris transplants. In addition to supporting the ingrowth of noradrenergic and cholinergic fibres, fluorescence histochemistry2 reveals that 5-hydroxy-tryptamine- and dopamine-containing fibres will also grow into iris transplants, albeit less extensively than noradrenergic fibres. This ability of the iris to support regenerative ingrowth by fibres not entirely appropriate for normal re-innervation suggested to us that the iris might also support regenerative ingrowth by fibres containing putative amino acid transmitters.

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Author notes

  1. P. C. EMSON

    Present address: MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beit Memorial Fellow, MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK

    P. C. EMSON

  2. Department of Histology, University of Lund, Biskopsgatan 5, S-223 62, Lund, Sweden

    ANDERS BJÖRKLUND & ULF STENEVI

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  1. P. C. EMSON
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  3. ULF STENEVI
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EMSON, P., BJÖRKLUND, A. & STENEVI, U. Possible regeneration of γ-aminobutyric acid-containing fibres into irides transplanted into the central nervous system. Nature 259, 567–570 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259567a0

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