Evidence for the presence of S-100 protein in the glial component of the human enteric nervous system (original) (raw)

Nature volume 297, pages 409–410 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Recently, the complex organization of the enteric nervous system and its independent role in the integrative control of digestive functions have been fully recognized. However, little is known about the non-neuronal elements present in close morphological and, presumably, functional relationship with the enteric neurones. Although ‘enteric glial cells’ in gut ganglia and Schwann cells accompanying nerve fibres throughout the gastrointestinal wall can easily be recognized by electron microscopy on the basis of their ultrastructural features1–3, the lack of a suitable common marker for the visualization of these non-neuronal components of the enteric nervous system has hampered investigation. S-100 is a Ca2+-binding protein4 originally isolated from the brain5, where it is localized mainly in glia6,7. We demonstrate here, using immunohistochemistry and electron immunocytochemistry, that both enteric glial cells and Schwann cells of the human gut contain densely immunoreactive S-100. This protein can therefore be regarded as a common marker for the glial components of the enteric nervous system.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cook, R. D. & Burnstock, G. J. Neurocytol. 5, 195–206 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  2. Gabella, G. Int. Rev. Cytol. 59, 129–193 (1979).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  3. Gabella, G. Neuroscience 6, 425–436 (1981).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Klee, C. B., Crouch, T. H. & Richman, P. G. A Rev. Biochem. 49, 489–511 (1980).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. Moore, B. W. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 6, 739–744 (1965).
    Article Google Scholar
  6. Bock, E. J. Neurochem. 30, 7–14 (1978).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  7. Zomzely-Neurath, C. E. & Walker, W. A. in Proteins of the Nervous System (eds Bradshaw, R. A. & Schneider, D. M.) 1–57 (Raven, New York, 1980).
    Google Scholar
  8. Marangos, P. J., Zomzely-Neurath, C., Luk, D. C. M. & York, C. J. biol Chem. 250, 1884–1891 (1975).
    CAS PubMed Google Scholar
  9. Tapia, et al. Gut 21, 920 (1980).
  10. Ferri, G.-L. et al. Gut 22, 898 (1981).
    Google Scholar
  11. Michetti, F., Miani, N., De Renzis, G., Caniglia, A. & Correr, S. J. Neurochem. 22, 239–244 (1974).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  12. Ludwin, S. K., Kosek, J. C. & Eng, L. F. J. comp. Neurol. 165, 197–208 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  13. Cocchia, D. Cell Tissue Res. 214, 529–540 (1981).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  14. Cocchia, D. & Miani, N. J. Neurocytol. 9, 771–782 (1980).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  15. Nakajima, T., Yamaguchi, H. & Takahashi, K. Brain Res. 191, 523–531 (1980).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  16. Cocchia, D. & Michetti, F. Cell Tissue Res. 215, 103–112 (1981).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  17. Cocchia, D., Michetti, F. & Donate, R. Nature 294, 85–87 (1981).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  18. Stefansson, K., Wollmann, R. L., Moore, B. W. & Arnason, B. G. W. Nature 295, 63–64 (1982).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  19. Jessen, K. R. & Mirsky, R. Nature 286, 736–737 (1980).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  20. Smith, B. The Neuropathology of the Alimentary Tract (Arnold, London, 1972).
    Google Scholar
  21. Bishop, A. E., Polak, J. M., Bloom, S. R. & Pearse, A. G. E. J. Endocr. 77, 25–26 (1978).
    Article Google Scholar
  22. Sternberger, L. Immunocytochemistry, 2nd edn (Wiley, New York, 1979).
    Google Scholar
  23. Pickel, V. M., Jon, H. T. & Reis, D. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 659–663 (1975).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histochemistry, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0HS, UK
    Gian-Luca Ferri, Lesley Probert & Julia M. Polak
  2. Department of Anatomy, Università Cattolica, 00168, Roma, Italy
    Domenico Cocchia & Fabrizio Michetti
  3. Clinical Psychobiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20205, USA
    Paul J. Marangos

Authors

  1. Gian-Luca Ferri
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Lesley Probert
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. Domenico Cocchia
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  4. Fabrizio Michetti
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  5. Paul J. Marangos
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  6. Julia M. Polak
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferri, GL., Probert, L., Cocchia, D. et al. Evidence for the presence of S-100 protein in the glial component of the human enteric nervous system.Nature 297, 409–410 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/297409a0

Download citation