Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-3-2025
Publication Title
eNeuro
Abstract
The adrenal medulla is packed with chromaffin cells, modified postganglionic sympathetic neurons that secrete the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine, during the fight-or-flight response. Sometimes overlooked is a population of immune cells that also resides within the gland but whose distribution and function are not clear. Here I examine the location of CD45+ hematopoietic cells in the mouse adrenal medulla and show the majority are F4/80+/Lyz2+ macrophages. These cells are present from early postnatal development and widely distributed. Anatomically they are associated with chromaffin cells, found aligned alongside synapsin-IR neuronal varicosities and juxtaposed to CD31-IR blood vessels. Using Lyz2cre-GCaMP6f mice to quantify calcium signaling in macrophages revealed these cells respond directly and indirectly to a wide variety of neuromodulators, including pre- and postganglionic transmitters and systemic hormones. Purinergic agonists, histamine, acetylcholine, and bradykinin rapidly and reversibly increased intracellular calcium. These results are consistent with a substantial resident population of innate immune cells in the adrenal medulla. Their close association with chromaffin cells and the preganglionic input suggests they may regulate sympatho-adrenal activity and thus the strength of the fight-or-flight response.
PubMed ID
39900506
Volume
12
Issue
2
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Whim, Matthew D., "Mouse Adrenal Macrophages Are Associated with Pre- and Postsynaptic Neuronal Elements and Respond to Multiple Neuromodulators" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 3656.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/3656
10.1523/ENEURO.0153-24.2025
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