Presence of cellular renin-angiotensin system in chromaffin cells of bovine adrenal medulla

Wang, Jun Ming; Slembrouck, Dirk; Tan, Junhui; Arckens, Lut; Leenen, Frans H.H.; Courtoy, Pierre J.; de Potter, Werner P.

doi:10.1152/AJPHEART.01092.2001

Title

Presence of cellular renin-angiotensin system in chromaffin cells of bovine adrenal medulla

Author

Wang, Jun Ming

Slembrouck, Dirk

Tan, Junhui

Arckens, Lut

Leenen, Frans H.H.

Courtoy, Pierre J.

de Potter, Werner P.

Abstract

The presence of a local renin-angiotensin system has been established in organs that serve as angiotensin targets. In this study, the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA and subcellular localization of renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and angiotensin II were investigated in bovine adrenal medullary cells in primary culture. By light microscopy, expression of angiotensinogen mRNA, immunoreactive renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and angiotensin II were readily detectable only in the chromaffin cells. The density distribution of renin and angiotensin II in sucrose gradients suggested a concentration in chromaffin granules, a localization directly confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing confirmed the expression of angiotensinogen in bovine chromaffin cells and the adrenal medulla. In addition, in vitro autoradiography indicated that both angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin type 1 receptors were present in the adrenal medulla. These results provide the first direct evidence that chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla are not only the target for angiotensin but should also be considered as potential local angiotensin-generating and -storing cells.

Language

English

Source (journal)

American journal of physiology : heart and circulatory physiology / American Physiological Society. - Bethesda, Md, 1977, currens

Publication

Bethesda, Md : 2002

ISSN

0363-6135 [print]

0363-6135

1522-1539 [online]

DOI

10.1152/AJPHEART.01092.2001