Immunohistological studies of masked indoleamine cells in the area postrema of the rat.

Masked indoleamine cells (MICS) in the area postrema and adjacent areas in the rat were immunohistochemically studied (the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method) using a serotonin antiserum. After pretreatment with nialamide (200-300 mg/kg), immunoreactive MICS could be observed. They were small cells (about 12 micron in diameter) with several processes and were distributed in nearly all parts of the area postrema and also in the nucleus tructus solitarii. Following a single intraventricular injection of 75 micrograms 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine, the immunoreactivity of these cells conspicuously decreased for several days. The submicroscopical structure of the cells was investigated using immunoelectron microscopy. Immunoreactive products were observed in the cytoplasm as particles with a diameter of 25-40 nm and high electron density, but these were not found in the nucleus or cell organelles.