Glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin immunohistochemistry in the posterior rhombencephalon of the Iberian barb (Barbus comiza).

The gustatory centers (vagal lobes and facial lobe) and the tegment of the posterior rhombencephalon of the Iberian barb (Barbus comiza) have been studied using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (anti-GFAP) and anti-vimentin immunohistochemical techniques. GFAP immunoreactivity was found in the tegment and in a part of the vagal lobes while vimentin immunoreactivity was located in the tegment. Two immunopositive cell types were found: ependymocytes and radial astrocytes. Since the distribution of GFAP in the barb rhombencephalon corresponds with zones previously described as cholinergic, the GFAP-immunopositive radial astrocytes might be involved in acetylcholine metabolism.