Immunohistological evidence for renin in human endocrine tissues.

The peroxidase-labeled antibody method and the avidin-biotin-complex method with antiserum to purified human kidney renin were used to identify renin in human endocrine tissues. Renin immunoreactivity was found in some large cells of the anterior pituitary, the zona glomerulosa and the zona reticularis of the adrenal, the Leydig cells of the testis, and the follicular epithelial cells of the thyroid and prostate glands. The specificity of the immunohistochemical reaction was confirmed by immunoabsorption tests. The specific localization of immunoreactive renin in each tissue suggests a possible role of renin in the function of these tissues.