Immunohistochemistry of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells and of SIF cell-associated nerve fibers in the rat superior cervical ganglion.

Double-labelling immunofluorescence was applied on single sections of the rat superior cervical ganglion to evaluate neurochemistry and connectivity of intraganglionic SIF cells. The synaptic vesicle membrane protein synaptophysin and secretoneurin, a newly discovered neuropeptide derived from secretogranin II, proved reliable molecular markers of this cell type, whereas serotonin and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivities were observed in slightly incongruent SIF cell subpopulations. Immunolabelling for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y occurred in few SIF cells. None of the above immunoreactivities were visibly altered by preganglionic or postganglionic denervation, while some SIF cells were immunolabelled for galanin or for the neuronal microtubule-associated protein MAP2 after postganglionic denervation. SIF cells were nonreactive for the pan-neuronal marker protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 or neurofilament 160 kD. Intense staining of NADPH-diaphorase in some SIF cells, suggesting catalytic activity of nitric oxide synthase, could not be substantiated by immunoreactivity for this enzyme. SIF cells were approached by nonidentical fiber populations immunoreactive for PGP 9.5, neurofilament, or neuropeptide Y, whereas immunoreactivities for galanin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were colocalized in fiber meshes around SIF cells. The findings indicate (1) neurochemical SIF cell heterogeneity, (2) SIF cell plasticity in response to ganglionic perturbation, and (3) a differentiated innervation of SIF cells in the rat superior cervical ganglion.