A light and fluorescence cytochemical and electron microscopic study of granule-containing cells in the intrapulmonary ganglia of Pseudemys scripta elegans.

In the lung of the red-eared turtle, large numbers of intramural ganglia located in the intraparenchymal connective tissue are demonstrated. Numerous cells in close proximity to the principal ganglionic neurons displayed a bright blue-white formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. Microspectrofluorometric analysis revealed the presence of dopamine (DA) in all cells measured. Subsequent light histochemical staining of the fluorescent sections showed the DA-containing cells to display argentaffinity. Electron microscopy of serial sections revealed cells characterized by dense-cored vesicles corresponding to the intensely formaldehyde-induced fluorescent cells. The argentaffin technique performed directly on ultrathin sections selectively stained the dense-cored vesicles. After fixation with glutaraldehyde followed by dichromate, x-ray microanalysis showed the chromium to be incorporated into the dense granules. Cholinergic-type nerve endings formed axosomatic synaptic contacts with the DA-containing cells, which can therefore be considered as intrinsic postganglionic elements. No efferent synapses from the granule-containing cells to the principal ganglionic neurons could be observed. The granule-containing cells occurred solitarily and in clusters, partially invested with satellite cells, and usually located near fenestrated capillaries; they displayed cytoplasmic processes and indicated emiocytotic granule release. Adjacent granule-containing cells were separated by spaces about 20 nm wide, gradually widening to form intercellular channels with apically projecting microvilli and primary cilia. It is concluded that the intrapulmonary granule-containing cells of the red-eared turtle belong to the APUD system. Furthermore, morphologically these cells appeared to possess a special sensory apparatus which designates them as paraneurons. The possible physiological significance of these intrapulmonary granule-containing cells is discussed.