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Endocrinology Vol. 139, No. 12 5015-5033
Copyright © 1998 by The Endocrine Society


ARTICLES

Comparative Distribution of Vasopressin V1b and Oxytocin Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acids in Brain1

Christopher Vaccari, Stephen J. Lolait and Nancy L. Ostrowski

Section on Behavioral Pharmacology (C.V., N.L.O.), Biological Psychiatry Branch and Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation (S.J.L.), National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4090

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Nancy L. Ostrowski, Ph.D., Eli Lilly and Co., Lilly Corporate Center, Building 22, Drop Code 2244, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The comparative distributions of the vasopressin V1b receptor (V1bR) and the oxytocin receptor (OTR) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are described in male rat brain using in situ hybridization histochemistry. V1bR transcripts were present in forebrain and hypothalamus and were less abundant in mid- and hindbrain regions, similar to the gradient observed with OTR transcripts. Microscopic analyses indicated that V1bR expressing cells typically demonstrated the morphology of neurons and confirmed V1bR gene expression in regions including the olfactory bulb, supraoptic, suprachiasmatic, and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, piriform and entorhinal cortices, hippocampus, substantia nigra, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Most regions that expressed V1bR mRNA also expressed OTR mRNA, although OTR gene expression was much more extensive than that of the V1bR. V1bR and OTR mRNA distributions were distinct from each other and from that of the V1a receptor mRNA in brain. A few brain regions express only V1bR transcripts such as the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb. Other brain regions, such as the fields of Ammon’s horn, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the substantia nigra pars compacta, and the piriform cortex express mRNAs that encode all three receptor subtypes (V1a, V1b, and OTR), whereas brain areas including the red nucleus and supraoptic nucleus express V1bR and OTR transcripts only. These data suggest functional specialization of the V1b, OTR and V1a receptors in brain.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) are mediated by at least three subtypes of G protein-linked membrane-bound vasopressin receptors. These receptors fall into two classes based on second messenger cascades and pharmacological properties. Activation of the V2 vasopressin receptor results in the stimulation of adenylate cyclase (1) and mediates the well established antidiuretic properties of AVP in kidney, where V2 receptors (V2R) (2) and V2R messenger RNA (mRNA) (3) are abundant. Stimulation of the V1 class of receptor subtypes results in the hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositol and an increase in cytosolic calcium (4). The V1a receptor (V1aR) mediates the vasoconstrictor and hepatic glycogenolytic actions of AVP. This receptor has been cloned (5), and its mRNA has been visualized throughout brain (3, 6), liver, and kidney (3, 7) using in situ hybridization histochemistry. The distribution of the V1aR mRNA corresponds to the distribution of radiolabeled binding sites for AVP and selective V1aR ligands (2, 8); this receptor is thought to be the predominant AVP receptor in brain (9, 10).

A second subtype of the V1 class, the V1b receptor (V1bR), has been characterized in the anterior pituitary, where it regulates AVP-mediated ACTH release by potentiating the effects of CRH (11, 12). Recent studies have detected V1bR mRNA through RT-PCR in the thymus, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, uterus, and breast (13, 14). Furthermore, Lolait et al. (13) detected V1bR mRNA in several hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic brain regions. The cellular distribution has not been characterized to date.

Receptors for oxytocin are highly homologous to vasopressin receptors, bind both oxytocin and AVP with high affinities, and have been localized throughout brain including regions where we have detected V1bR mRNA (8). The OTR mRNA distribution has been characterized in rat brain using only the human OTR gene-derived ribonucleic acid probes (riboprobes) (15). In this paper, we describe the distribution of rat V1bR-derived mRNA in male Sprague-Dawley rat brains using in situ hybridization histochemistry and compare it to the distribution of rat OTR gene expressing cells.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
To determine V1bR mRNA localization, two normal adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 g) were euthanized by decapitation, their brains rapidly removed and frozen on crushed dry ice and whole brains sectioned for in situ hybridization. Distributions were confirmed in brains of an additional four adult males that served as control animals in another experiment (not reported here). Similarly, four adult male rats were used to characterize the whole brain distribution of the OTR mRNA, and distributions were confirmed in brains of an additional six male animals used as controls in another experiment.

All work was done in accordance with National Institutes of Health guidelines for animal use and care and following approvals of protocols by the National Institute of Mental Health Animal Care and Use Committee.

Probes
The region of the AVP and OT receptor genes demonstrating the least homology, (i.e. a sequence corresponding to the third intracellular loop of the receptors) was included in each of the riboprobes used. The V1bR probe was a 618-bp Asp718/blunt end sequence (extending from the second intracellular loop to the seventh transmembrane region of the rat cDNA) subcloned into pGEM3Z (13). The OTR cDNA was a 633-bp PCR fragment (spanning the second to sixth transmembrane regions) subcloned into pGEM4Z (16). Sense and antisense probes for both V1bR and OTR constructs were synthesized using 35S radiolabeled-UTP. One additional V1bR probe and two additional OTR probes were prescreened in liver, brain, kidney, uterus, and spleen. All probes yielded similar distributions of their respective mRNAs. The probes used in these experiments demonstrated the greatest signal to noise ratios indexed by the density of selective tissue labeling relative to background [(Antisense-background)–(sense-background)]. In addition to "sense" control experiments, V1b, V1a, V2, and OTR transcript labeling was measured in liver, kidney and pituitary.

In situ hybridization histochemistry
Whole brains were cryosectioned (24 µm-thick), thaw-mounted (three per slide) onto glass microscope slides subbed with gelatin-chrome-alum, and frozen at -70 C until used. Slide-mounted sections were rapidly thawed to room temperature, immersed in 4% formaldehyde solution, treated with acetic anhydride, rinsed, dehydrated, and delipidated in a series of graded ethanol solutions followed by immersion in chloroform. Slide-mounted tissue was covered with 35S-labeled probe (1.25 million cpm per slide), coverslipped, and incubated for 22 h at 55 C. Posthybridization washes consisted of a series of 4x, 2x, 1x, and 0.5x saline-sodium citrate buffer (SSC) washes, incubation in a 20 µg/ml RNase solution at 37 C, followed by a series of 0.1x SSC washes containing dithiothreitol at 65 and 67.5 C. Tissue was dehydrated in a series of graded alcohol solutions containing 300 mM ammonium acetate, then dried, apposed to autoradiographic film (Kodak B-Max; Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY), and exposed for 14 days.

To visualize the hybridization signal at the cellular level, slides were dipped in nuclear emulsion (Kodak NTB-2; Eastman Kodak) and exposed at 4 C for 3 (V1bR) or 4 (OTR) months. Slides were developed (Kodak D19; Eastman Kodak) and stained with thionin, and in some cases, counterstained with eosin and coverslipped. Slides were examined with a light microscope, under bright and dark field illumination. Distributions of cells expressing the respective mRNAs were plotted onto templates modified from the rat brain atlas of Paxinos and Watson (17) using Adobe Photoshop and templates similar to those used for V1aR mRNA (6).

Data analysis
Hybridization signal was quantified using the NIH Image program. Optical densities (corrected for background signal) were obtained for the left and right hemispheres for each region analyzed. To assess the amount of hybridization signal in emulsion-dipped slides, individual grains were counted. Cells covered by at least two times as many grains as background were designated as expressing the given receptor mRNA.

Hybridization experiments for OTR and V1bR mRNAs were conducted separately, permitting qualitative, but not quantitative comparisons.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Specificity of the probes
Control experiments showed that liver expressed only V1aR transcripts, whereas pituitary expressed V1aR, V1bR, and OTR mRNAs in different cell populations. Renal tissue was the most informative, in that all four transcripts were differentially distributed (data not shown): V1aR mRNA was localized primarily to vascular elements including vasa recta; V2R mRNA was abundant in the collecting ducts and thick ascending limbs of the Loops of Henle; OTR transcripts were found in macula densa cells in renal cortex, and, in animals pretreated with estrogen, in S2 and S3 segments of proximal tubules (see Ref. 16). V1bR mRNA was not detected in parenchymal tissue but was localized in some large renal blood vessels and in the transitional epithelium of the pelvic wall. Estrogen treatment neither induced nor changed V1bR labeling in kidney.

V1bR sense labeling was undetectable except in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus where low levels of signal were detected similar to those observed using the antisense probe. Microscopic evaluation failed to localize dentate antisense or sense labeling to cell bodies; antisense levels did not reach criteria for specific labeling. OTR sense labeling was typically near film background levels. Film autoradiographs showed above-background levels of sense labeling in the dentate gyrus and the cerebellum. In the dentate, antisense accumulation over cell soma indicated specific labeling.

Table 1Go presents brain regions that express V1bR mRNA. Regions are rank-ordered according to film optical density measurements for the V1bR hybridization signal. The coexpression of OTR mRNA was determined by microscopic analyses. The dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb express only V1bR mRNA. However, most other regions that express V1bR transcripts also express the OTR gene.


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Table 1. Distribution of arginine vasopressin V1b receptor (V1bR) mRNA in rat brain

 
Figure 1Go presents a schematic diagram of the localizations of the V1bR and OTR transcripts in emulsion-dipped tissues. Qualitative differences were observed in the hybridization signals of V1bR and OTR mRNAs. Specifically, in regions where V1bR mRNA was detected, signal intensity was usually homogeneous from cell to cell, with a preponderance of grains localized to the nucleus and soma of the cells. Signal intensity varied slightly from cell to cell, and film densities typically reflect the number of cells in a given region expressing the gene. In contrast, the OTR hybridization signal intensity varied from region to region and from cell to cell within specific regions. The signal was not only localized to nuclei and soma but also to the cytoplasm of the cell.






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Figure 1. Diagram of the distribution of arginine vasopressin V1b and oxytocin receptor mRNA expressing cells in male rat brain. Distributions were plotted based on inspection of nuclear emulsion-dipped brain sections (3–4 month exposures) under bright and darkfield conditions. OTR mRNA labeled cells are presented on the left, and V1bR mRNA labeled cells on the right. Abbreviations correspond to those in Paxinos and Watson (17 ): 2, 6–10, cerebellar lobules; 2n, optic nerve; 3V, third ventricle; 4V, fourth ventricle; 4&5, cerebellar lobules; 6, abducens nucleus; 7, facial nucleus; 7n, facial nerve; 8n, vestibulocochlear nerve; 12, hypoglossal nucleus; 12n, root of hypoglossal; ac, anterior commissure; ACB, accumbens nucleus; aci, anterior commissure, intrabulbar; Aco, anterior cortical amygdala nucleus; Acs7, accessory facial nucleus; AHC, anterior hypothalamic area; AHi, amygdalo-hippocampal area; AHiPM, amygdala-hippocampal area, posteromedial part; AI, agranular insular cortex; Am, amygdala nuclei; Amb, ambiguous nucleus; AOD, anterior olfactory nucleus, dorsal part; AOM, anterior olfactory nucleus, medial part; AOP, anterior olfactory nucleus, posterior part; AOV, anterior olfactory nucleus, ventral part; APir, amygdalo-piriform transition area; APT, anterior pretectal nucleus; Aq, cerebral aqueduct; Arc, arcuate nucleus; AV anteroventral thalamic nucleus; BST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; bsc, brachium of the superior colliculus; CA1-3, fields of CA 1-3 of Ammon’s horn; CB, cerebellum; cc corpus callosum; CG, central gray; Cg, cingulate cortex; CIC, central nucleus of the inferior colliculus; CL, claustrum; CnF, cuneiform nucleus; cp, cerebral peduncle; CPu, caudate putamen (striatum); Crus 1, Crus 1 of the ansiform lobule; ctg, central tegmental tract; D3V, dorsal third ventricle; DA, dorsal hypothalamic area; DG, dentate gyrus; DLG, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; Dll, dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus; DMC, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, compact part; DMSp5, dorsomedial spinal trigeminal nucleus; DR, dorsal raphe nucleus; DSC, lamina dissecans entorhinal cortex; ec, external capsule; ECIC, external cortex of the inferior colliculus; Ecu, external cuneate cortex; Ent, entorhinal cortex; EP, entopeduncular nucleus; EPI, external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb; f, fornix; fi, fimbria; Fr, frontal cortex; FStr, fundus striati; Gi, gigantocellular reticular nucleus; GP, globus pallidus; HDB, nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band; Hil, hilus of the dentate gyrus; I, intercalated nuclei of the amygdala; ic, internal capsule; icp, inferior cerebellar peduncle; IGr, internal granular layer of the olfactory bulb; InCo, intercollicular nucleus; IntA, interposed cerebellar nucleus; IOC, inferior olive, subnucleus C of the medial nucleus; IPI, interpeduncular nucleus, intermediate; IPC, interpeduncular nucleus, caudal; Ip1, internal plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb; IRt, intermediate reticular nucleus; LC, locus coeruleus; LH, lateral hypothalmic area; LHb, lateral habenula nucleus; LO, lateral orbital cortex; LPB, lateral parabrachial nucleus; LPGi, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus; LR4V, lateral recess of the fourth ventricle; LRt, lateral reticular nucleus; LS, lateral septal nucleus; LSO, lateral superior olive; LV, lateral ventricle; LVe, lateral vestibular nucleus; mcp, middle cerebellar peduncle; MCPO, magnocellular preoptic nucleus; ME, median eminence; me5, mesencephalic trigeminal tract; mfb, medial forebrain bundle; mfba, medial forebrain bundle "a" component; MGV, medial geniculate nucleus; MHb, medial habenula nucleus; MI, mitral cell layer of the olfactory bulb; ml, medial lemniscus; mlf, medial longitudinal fasciculus; MM, medial mammillary nucleus, medial part; MnR, median raphe nucleus; Po5, motor trigeminal nucleus; MP, medial mammillary nucleus, posterior part; MPO, medial preoptic nucleus; MVe, medial vestibular nucleus; Oc, occipital cortex; ON, olfactory nerve layer; Op, optic nerve layer of the superior colliculus; ox, optic chiasm; Par, parietal cortex; PaV, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; PCRtA, parvocellular reticular nucleus, {alpha} part; Pe, periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus; PF, parafascicular thalamic nucleus; PFI, paraflocculus; PH, posterior hypothalamic area; Pi, pineal gland; Pir, piriform cortex; PLCo, posterolateral cortical amygdala nucleus; PMCo, posteromedial cortical amygdala nucleus; PMD, premammillary nucleus, dorsal part; Pn, pontine nucleus; PnC, pontine reticular nucleus, caudal part; PnO, pontine reticular nucleus, oral part; PoDG, polymorph layer of the dentate gyrus; PPT, posterior pretectal nucleus; Pr5VL, principal trigeminal sensory nucleus, ventrolateral part; Prb, nucleus of Probst’s bundle; PRh, perirhinal cortex; PrH, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus; PrS, presubiculum; PVA, paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, anterior part; py, pyrimidal tract; RCh, retrochiasmatic area; RMC, red nucleus, magnocellular part; RMg, raphe magnus nucleus; ROb, raphe obscurus nucleus; RPC, red nucleus, parvocellular part; RPO, rostral periolivary region; RR, retrorubral nucleus; RRF, retrorubral field; RSA, retrosplenial agranular cortex; Rt, reticular thalamic nucleus; RtTg, reticulo-tegmental nucleus of the pons; S, subiculum; s5, sensory root of the trigeminal nerve; scc, splenium of the corpus callosum; SCh, suprachiasmatic nucleus; scp, superior cerebellar peduncle, brachium conjunctivum; SFO, subfornical organ; SI, substantia inominata; Sim, simple lobule; sm, stria medullaris of the thalamus; SNR, substantia nigra, reticular part; SNC, substantia nigra, compact part; SO, supraoptic nucleus; Sol, nucleus of the solitary tract; sol, solitary tract; SOR, supraoptic nucleus, retrochiasmatic; SPTg, subpeduncular tegmental nucleus; SPO, superior periolivary nucleus; sp5, spinal trigeminal nucleus; Sp51, spinal trigeminal nucleus, caudal part; Sp5O, spinal trigeminal nucleus, oral part; st, stria terminalis; Stg, stigmoid hypothalamic nucleus; STh, subthalamic nucleus; SuM, supramammillary nucleus; Te, temporal cortex; tfp, transverse fibers of the pons; TM, tuberomammillary nucleus; ts, tectospinal tract; Tu, olfactory tubercle; tz, trapezoid body; VCA, ventral cochlear nucleus, anterior part; VEn, ventral endopiriform nucleus; VL, ventrolateral thalamic nucleus; VLO, ventrolateral orbital cortex; VMH, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus; VP, ventral pallidum; VPM, ventral posteromedial thalamic nucleus; VTA, ventral tegmental nucleus (Tsai); VTg, ventral tegmental nucleus (Gudden); ZI, zona incerta.

 
Microscopic analyses confirmed localization of both V1bR and OTR transcripts to cell populations in the olfactory bulb, forebrain, hypothalmus, hippocampus, midbrain, and hindbrain. Both receptor mRNAs were more abundant in anterior than in caudal brain. In addition, scattered cells were detected on emulsion-dipped slides that were undetectable on film autoradiographs. V1bR-labeled cells tended to be large, with large, round nuclei, and demonstrated light staining Nissl substance with a granular appearance. OTR-labeled cells demonstrated no consistently unique morphology.

Olfactory bulb
V1bR mRNA was found in periodically spaced cells in the mitral cell layer (Fig. 2Go, A and C) of the olfactory bulb with densest label in the ventrolateral bulb. The external plexiform layer weakly labeled. In contrast, OTR mRNA was distributed throughout the granule cell layer, with a denser expression in the mitral cell layer. The OTR gene was expressed in some periglomerular cells (See Fig. 2Go, B and D).



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Figure 2. Olfactory bulb. V1bR (left) and OTR (right) mRNA distributions differ in the olfactory bulb. Darkfield (A; 400x) and corresponding brightfield (C; 400x) photomicrographs show V1bR transcripts are in large, lightly thionin-stained cells at the periphery of the mitral cell layer. Granule cells (bottom of photograph) exhibit lower levels of signal. In contrast, OTR mRNA is dispersed throughout the olfactory bulb (B; 25x) with hybridization signal concentrated throughout the mitral cell layer (arrow), moderate in periglomerular cells (arrowhead), and least dense in the granule cells (bottom of photograph in D; 400x). Silver grains appear white in darkfield and black in brightfield images.

 
Forebrain
V1bR transcripts were found in the tenia tecta and piriform cortex (Pir). In the tenia tecta, label was greatest in the most anterior sections, and decreased caudally. The entire piriform cortex labeled, with strongest signal detected in the anterior forebrain and decreasing in intensity caudally. Several cortical areas expressed light to intermediate hybridization signal, including the outer layers of agranular insular cortex, ventrolateral orbital cortex, lateral orbital cortex, and occasional scattered cells in the parietal and frontal cortices. Cells in the outer layers of the ventrolateral and lateral aspects of the orbital cortex lightly labeled, primarily around 3.7 mm anterior to Bregma. At this level, a string of labeled cells coursed around the superficial layers of cortex, with label densest in the agranular insular cortex and more scattered in cells of the parietal and frontal cortices.

The anterior olfactory nucleus (Fig. 3Go), tenia tecta, and piriform cortex expressed high levels of OTR mRNA. V1bR transcripts were not visualized in the anterior olfactory nucleus. The distribution of OTR mRNA was similar to that of V1bR mRNA in the piriform cortex (see Fig. 4Go) but, whereas OTR transcripts were abundant in the olfactory tubercle, V1bR mRNA was not detected.



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Figure 3. Anterior olfactory nucleus. Brightfield (A; 20x) and darkfield (B; 20x) photomicrographs show OTR transcripts are in all regions of the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) with denser signal in the ventral quadrants. Arrow points to rostral piriform cortex. Note low levels of OTR mRNA in overlying cortex.

 


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Figure 4. Piriform cortex. Photomicrographs depicting OTR mRNA labeling in the piriform cortex (PIR) and lateral olfactory tubercle (t, open arrow). A (50x), brightfield photomicrograph showing the lateral olfactory tract (LOT), piriform cortex (PIR), and lateral aspect of the olfactory tubercle (t). B (50x), corresponding darkfield photo. V1bR transcripts were found throughout the piriform cortex but were not expressed in the olfactory tubercle (not shown).

 
OTR expression in frontal cortex exhibited a gradient with scattered cells in layers 2 and 3 labeling throughout; deeper cells exhibited less intense label and were more sparsely distributed. Cortical expression was less intense at more caudal levels. Cingulate cortex expressed moderate levels of transcripts.

The lateral septal nucleus, ventral pallidum, globus pallidus, and accumbens nucleus expressed very low densities of the OTR gene. In the caudate putamen, only the dorsomedial portion expressed low levels of the OTR gene.

Hypothalamus and diencephalon
V1bR mRNA was in numerous cells of the suprachiasmatic and supraoptic nuclei (SON) of the hypothalamus (Fig. 5Go, A and C). There was light labeling of cells in the periventricular nucleus. Grain counts were slightly elevated above background but did not reach criterion for labeling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (Fig. 6Go, A and C). V1bR transcripts were evident in cells of the medial preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, anterior amgydala, and the region lateral to the SON.



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Figure 5. Supraoptic and suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. V1bR (left) and OTR (right) transcripts have similar distributions in the SON and SCN depicted in the top darkfield panels (A and B, 25x). Silver grains appears white. Greater magnification (630x) of cells in the SON (C, D) and SCN (E and F) show differences in V1bR and OTR labeling patterns. Note the clustering of V1bR label near thionin-stained nuclei in C and E. In contrast, OTR mRNA, while densest over stained nuclei, tends to be more diffusely localized (D and F).

 


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Figure 6. PVN. The PVN expresses OTR mRNA (right) but not V1bR mRNA (left). A and B are brightfield photomicrographs (50x) and C and D are corresponding darkfield photomicrographs of the PVN (50x). Both the magnocellular (m) and parvocellular (p) regions express OTR hybridization signal. E and F, high magnification (630x) photos of cells at the border between the magnocells and parvocells. Note background levels of V1b signal over cells (arrows) and diffuse OTR label over individual nuclei (arrows).

 
More caudally, label was detected in the hypothalamus at approximately 3.3 mm posterior to Bregma, where V1bR mRNA transcripts were well labeled in the compact portion of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. The ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus did not express V1bR mRNA. Further caudally, signal was seen in the tuberomammillary nucleus, with light labeling in the dorsal premammillary nucleus.

At approximately 4.3 mm caudal to Bregma, labeled cells of the piriform cortex and cells in the perirhinal cortex appeared contiguous. The posteromedial cortical amygdala nucleus (PMCo) expressed moderate amounts of V1bR mRNA, and the posterolateral cortical amygdala nucleus (PLCo) expressed low levels.

In thalamus, only a few cells in the anterior paraventricular nucleus expressed hybridization signal.

Similar to the distribution of V1bR mRNA, OTR transcripts were also abundant in the suprachiasmatic and supraoptic nuclei (See Fig. 5Go, B and D). OTR, but not V1bR mRNA, was expressed in the paraventricular nucleus (Fig. 6Go).

OTR transcripts were densest in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus (Fig. 7Go), with the ventrolateral division expressing higher levels of transcript than the dorsomedial division. Notably, the entire VMN, ranging from the most anterior to the caudal poles, expressed OTR signal.



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Figure 7. Ventromedial nucleus. The top left darkfield image (A, 50x) shows that V1bR transcripts are undetectable in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypthalamus (VMN). High magnification of VMN cells from the ventrolateral subdivision of this nucleus confirms sparse label. Note low levels of grains over cells in D (arrow and arrowhead) and G (arrow and arrowhead). In contrast, the ventrolateral (vl) VMN, but not the dorsomedial (dm) VMN from an adult male shows abundant OTR gene expression (B and C, 50x). High magnification brightfield (E) and darkfield (H) images show label surrounding cells. The entire VMN expresses OTR transcripts; both the anterior (not shown) and posterior (p) portions (C) of the VMN express dense accumulations of transcripts over individual cells (F, arrow) and in the surround (I). High magnifications are 630x.

 
OTR gene expression could be visualized in scattered cells throughout the ventral hypothalamus with high expression in the retrochiasmatic area, the premammillary nucleus and mammillary complex, the arcuate nucleus, and periarcuate area. A restricted portion (probably intermediate) of the bed nucleus of the stria terminals expressed some of the densest OTR mRNA labeling in brain. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and SON expressed greater levels of OTR transcripts than the median preoptic nucleus, the horizontal nucleus of the diagonal band, the medial preoptic nucleus, and the olfactory tubercle. The medial habenula exhibited moderate gene expression. Other regions that expressed lower levels of OTR hybridization signal included the central nucleus of the amygdala, ventral subiculum, cortical and medial amygdala, subfornical organ, and entorhinal cortex.

Thalamic OTR transcript labeling was sparse with detectable signal primarily in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (see Fig. 1Go).

Hippocampus
V1bR mRNA was most abundant in CA2. It was uniformly expressed in CA1 (Fig. 8Go, A, C, and E) whereas signal intensity in CA3 became progressively greater more caudally. The dentate gyrus showed low levels of V1bR gene product that could not be localized to cell bodies and did not reach criteria for specific labeling.



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Figure 8. Hippocampus. OTR mRNA (right) is more abundant in the hippocampus than V1b mRNA (left). OTR transcripts are moderately dense in the dentate gyrus (DG) (D, 25x). As can be discerned in panel D, labeling is slightly more abundant in CA2 than CA1 and CA3. Similarly, V1bR transcripts are slightly greater in CA2, followed by CA3, CA1, and the DG (C). E and F, High magnification (400x) of cells sampled at arrows in A and B. Note the restricted localization of V1bR signal and the diffuse distribution of the OTR hybridization signal in CA2 depicted in E and F, respectively.

 
Notably, OTR transcripts were evident in the cell-dense areas of the hippocampus with the dentate gyrus, CA2 and CA3 expressing greater levels than CA1 (Fig. 8Go, B, D, and F).

Midbrain
Low levels of V1bR mRNA were in cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the substantia nigra, pars compacta (SNC), whereas only occasional cells expressed transcript in the pars reticulata (Fig. 9Go). The magnocellular aspect of the red nucleus (Fig. 10Go) and outer layers of the entorhinal cortex moderately labeled. Labeling in the entorhinal cortex became stronger progressing caudally and extended into the deeper layers of cortex. Strong labeling of V1bR mRNA was evident in the dorsal raphe nucleus, with lighter labeling in the amgydala-piriform transition area.



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Figure 9. Substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Both V1bR and OTR transcripts are expressed in the SNC and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Note sparse V1bR mRNA in the medial SNC and VTA in darkfield photomicrograph in A and C (magnification, 25x). OTR-labeled cells can be discerned at 50x magnification (B and D) in the region corresponding to the pars compacta (arrows, C, D). Higher magnification (630x, E and F) shows sparse V1bR (E) and diffuse OTR gene expression (F) in individual cells in the medial SNC (arrows).

 


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Figure 10. Red nucleus. V1bR-mRNA expressing cells in the red nucleus are typical of many cells that express V1bR mRNA. As can be seen in A (10x magnification) the cells tend to lightly stain with thionin, have large cell bodies (B, 400x) and have nuclei with a lightly granular appearance. V1bR-labeled cells in the red nucleus appear to correspond to the magnocells; cells with other morphologies did not label. Large, scattered, labeled cells, similar to those depicted here (arrows), were occasionally detected throughout the midbrain and cortex.

 
OTR mRNA was detected in the red nucleus, dorsal raphe nucleus, SNC (Fig. 9Go), VTA and the central gray.

Hindbrain
Both V1bR and OTR transcripts were less abundant in hindbrain than more anterior brain regions. Pontine nuclei exhibited moderate V1bR expression, whereas light to intermediate levels of V1bR signal were detected in the locus coeruleus, facial nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), gigantocellular reticular nucleus, lateral reticular nucleus (LRt), and trigeminal nucleus (oral and interpolar portions). Labeled cells in the regions of the DMV appeared contiguous with a few labeled cells in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and hypoglossal nucleus in emulsion-dipped slides.

Hindbrain OTR transcripts were highest in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) and Nucleus O. The locus ceruleus, and trigeminal and lateral reticular nuclei expressed intermediate levels of transcript, whereas the pontine, gigantocellular reticular, medial vestibular, hypoglossal nuclei, and the lateral aspect of the inferior olive nucleus expressed low hybridization signal.

OTR mRNA was also detected at low levels in blood vessels on the ventral surface of the brain, in the pineal, in intermittent large cells (may be Purkinje cells) at the border of the granule cell layer and in the molecular cell layer of the cerebellum, and cells in the lining of the ventricular walls.


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Until recently, pharmacologic discrimination of the V1a, V1b, V2, and OTR receptors relied heavily on radioligand binding assays using AVP, OT, and relatively selective agonists and antagonists (8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20). With the cloning of all four of the rat complementary DNAs for AVP and OT receptors (V1a: 5; V1b: 13; V2: 21; OTR: 22) in situ hybridization can provide a method of localizing and distinguishing among cells that express the genes encoding these receptors. Further, in situ hybridization histochemistry provides a sufficiently high level of resolution to begin to address questions regarding the phenotypes of cells in the brain that express the AVP and OT receptor subtypes; whether there is regional overlap in their distributions; and, eventually, whether individual cells coexpress these receptor mRNAs. In this paper we described the localization of the V1bR and OTR mRNAs in rat brain. We have previously reported the localization of the V1aR mRNA (6).

Localization of V1bR mRNA
Cells that express V1bR transcripts are present in anatomically discrete brain regions (e.g. suprachiasmatic nucleus, the red nucleus, the substantia nigra pars compacta, and the supraoptic nucleus) and have the morphology of neurons. V1bR transcripts are less abundant and more restricted in their distribution than the OTR and the V1aR transcripts. Although the OTR gene is expressed by numerous cells and in regions that express V1bR mRNA, the overall distribution pattern supports distinct receptor gene products. Specifically, the anterior olfactory nucleus and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, regions that expressed the highest levels of OTR transcripts did not express V1bR mRNA, excluding the possibility that the V1bR probe cross-hybridized with OTR mRNA. Furthermore, the brain distribution of V1bR transcripts also differed from that of V1aR mRNA making it improbable that the V1bR riboprobe cross-hybridized with V1aR mRNA. Again, V1bR transcripts were undetectable in the lateral septum and the anterior olfactory nucleus, two regions that express high levels of V1aR transcripts (6). In contrast to a previous study, (23), we have not detected specific labeling of V2R mRNA in adult rat brain (6, Ostrowski, unpublished).

Following the cloning of the V1bR from pituitary cDNA libraries, the receptor mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the rat thymus, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, uterus, and breast (13, 14). Lolait et al. (13) have published RT-PCR data providing evidence for extrapituitary expression of V1bR mRNA in the olfactory bulb, caudate putamen, septum, cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum in the rat. Here, we visualized V1bR transcripts in cells in regions shown by RT-PCR to express V1bR mRNA with the exception of the caudate putamen, cerebellum and septum where we failed to detect transcript. While the reason for this discrepancy remains unclear, it is possible that the number of copies of transcripts were too low to be visually detected using emulsion autoradiography or that the RT-PCR samples included adjacent V1bR-expressing tissues. Confirmation of expression of the V1bR protein throughout brain will require the development of selective or specific V1bR radioligands and/or V1bR-specific antibodies.

Permutations in the patterns of coexpression of V1aR, V1bR, and OTR genes in specific brain regions suggest that these three gene products may be independently regulated. Moreover, their expression in structures including the hippocampus, arcuate and suprachiasmatic nuclei, may suggest alternative interpretations of some radioreceptor binding data and pharmacological effects observed after local application of AVP and other selective agonists and antagonists directly to brain (24, 25).

An interesting observation (See Table 1Go) was that most brain regions that expressed V1bR signal also expressed OTR transcripts. This is intriguing considering that V1bR mRNA was extremely restricted in its distribution, in that the majority of discrete brain regions do not express the V1bR gene. The coexpression of OTR in virtually all V1bR-labeled regions suggests that there may be a physiological basis for their coexistence.

V1bR mRNA and AVP-immunoreactive pathways
AVP immunoreactive cells or processes have been reported in most regions where we detect V1bR mRNA. AVP and OT secreting cells originate primarily in the SON and PVN and project to the neural lobe of the pituitary where the hormones are released directly into the bloodstream. Central AVP projections originate from AVP-synthesizing parvocellular neurons in the hypothalamic PVN, a few magnocellular neurons in the SON, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), medial amgydala, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and locus coeruleus (26).

V1bR mRNA was not visualized in magnocellular or parvocellular neurons in the PVN. The V1bR, therefore, is an unlikely candidate for directly regulating AVP or OT release from PVN neurons. In contrast, both OTR and V1aR (6) mRNAs were found in the PVN; the OTR mRNA was detected throughout the PVN, whereas V1aR transcripts were localized primarily in the parvocellular region. This distribution is consistent with a role for OTR in the regulation of AVP release from the PVN.

OT-containing cells in the SON project to the posterior pituitary and are well established to play a role in milk ejection during lactation (27, 28). The SON expressed both V1bR and OTR transcripts (but not V1aR, 6). Afferents include noradrenergic projections from the ventrolateral medulla (29) and smaller projections from the median preoptic nucleus, BNST and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (30), the latter two of which contain AVP-synthesizing neurons. The expression of V1bR and OTR transcripts in the SON raises the possibility that the V1bR and/or the OTR may be involved in regulating OT or AVP release.

The differential localization of OTR mRNA with V1bR transcripts in the SON and with V1aR gene products in the PVN raises interesting possibilities regarding regulation and cross-talk in AVP- and OT-containing brain systems. Experimental data narrowing the possible interactions (e.g. V1b autoreceptor function; mediation of selective effects on AVP or OT transcription or release; regulation of OTR gene expression, etc.) await more precise colocalization data and physiological experiments using highly selective receptor subtype agonists and antagonists. Clearly, the selective localization of V1aR and V1bR transcripts in the PVN and SON, respectively, could function to provide a high degree of specificity in the cellular responses to brain AVP in these magnocellular nuclei.

V1bR, OTR (shown here), and V1aR (6) transcripts were expressed by cells in the SCN, where AVP-producing neurons have also been described (31, 32). The SCN plays a role in circadian rhythmicity in hormone secretions (33), body temperature (34); and sleep and waking cycles (35). AVP exhibits a rhythmic pattern of secretion, with highest levels during light periods and lowest levels during dark periods (36). The V1aR mRNA in the SCN also exhibits a circadian rhythm but it is 12 h out of phase with AVP secretion and is independent of AVP levels (37).

AVP is synthesized in the locus coeruleus and the DMH (26), two regions that also express V1bR transcripts. The BNST, while a source of AVP, does not express V1bR mRNA. Other areas where AVP immunoreactive processes and V1bR mRNA have been found include the olfactory bulb, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus, and substantia nigra pars compacta.

Overlap of V1bR with other AVP/OT receptors
The V1a receptor has been thought to mediate most of the effects of AVP in brain (8, 9, 38, 39, 40, 41). The finding that a number of brain regions express V1aR, V1bR and OTR mRNAs suggests that some of AVP’s effects on memory and learning (42), antipyresis (43), selective aggression and partner preference (44, 45), cardiovascular responsivity (46), blood flow to the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid production (47), smooth muscle tone in superficial brain vasculature (48), and analgesia (49) may involve multiple receptor subtypes. All three subtypes are expressed in the hippocampus (Fields of Ammon’s horn), arcuate nucleus, locus coeruleus, substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and piriform cortex. Other regions, such as the olfactory bulb and the hypothalamus express all three transcripts but in markedly different patterns suggesting discrete functions for each receptor subtype. The possibility that single cells coexpress all three receptor genes remains to be determined. Some brain regions such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, piriform cortex (V1a, V1b, OTR), and the supraoptic nucleus (V1b, OTR) appear to be likely candidates for coexpression based on the large numbers of cells that label with each respective hybridization probe.

Role for V1bR in brain
To date, the only function attributed to the V1bR has been the potentiation of CRH induction of ACTH release in the pituitary (11, 12), and it is possible that V1bR may interact with CRH receptors at other sites in brain. Several regions that are involved in processing olfactory signals express both CRH receptors (50) and V1bR mRNA such as the olfactory bulb (external plexiform layer), amygdala (PLCo, PMCo, APir, AA), medial preoptic area, cortex (somatosensory, striate, entorhinal, piriform), and pons. A role for V1bR in autonomic regulation is suggested by its presence in hindbrain regions, some of which are involved in cardiovascular function. V1bR transcripts were detected in the facial nucleus, lateral reticular nucleus, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the trigeminal nucleus, areas important in AVP’s and CRH’s autonomic effects, including those on heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucose, and glucagon (46, 51). V1bR transcripts were in cells of the locus coeruleus (LC) where AVP and norepinephrine may be colocalized (52) and where vasopressinergic neurons may be involved in adaptation to repeated stress (53). V1bR mRNA was also detected at low levels in the dopamine-synthesizing regions of the substantia nigra par compacta and ventral tegmental area. The coexpression of V1bR and OTR in many brain regions suggests that the V1bR may play an interactive role with OT receptive brain systems, possibly up- or down-regulating them in conjunction with AVP release in specific pathways.

Distribution of OTR mRNA in CNS
We detected OTR transcripts in virtually all brain regions where Yoshimura et al. (15) reported hybridization signal using the human OTR-derived riboprobe (54). In contrast to their study, we also visualized OTR transcripts in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and portions of the inferior olivary nucleus. Whereas they described OTR transcripts dorsal to the substantia nigra pars compacta, we visualized signal throughout the medial pars compacta and ventral tegmental area. Finally, we found OTR transcripts throughout the PVN whereas Yoshimura and collaborators detected signal only over magnocells in the dorso-medial portion. The subtle nature of the differences between our results and those of Yoshimura et al. (15) suggest that they may be attributable to the plane of section of tissue, gender or strain differences. Overall, the degree of correspondence, rather than the divergence, is noteworthy.

In summary, in situ hybridization data indicate that the V1bR mRNA is expressed in a restricted number of morphologically discrete brain regions. Regions expressing the highest levels of V1bR transcripts also expressed OTR mRNA although the pattern of OTR gene expression was far more extensive than that of V1bR. Both transcripts, however, were more abundant in forebrain and hypothalamus than mid- and hindbrain. The differential distributions of the genes encoding the vasopressin V1a, V1b, and OT receptors confirm that these receptor subtypes are distinct gene products and suggest that permutations in their regional coexpression is may influence brain region-specific regulation and functions. It remains to be determined whether V1aR, V1bR, and OTR transcripts colocalize in individual cells. The respective roles for these receptor subtypes in influencing cellular activity and their potential for receptor subtype interactions at the physiological level require further investigation.2


    Acknowledgments
 
Thanks are extended to Elena Gournelos for her technical assistance, Ricardo Dreifuss for his expert photographic work, and to Drs. Agu Pert and Robert Post for their sponsorship of this project. Appreciation is extended to C. S. Carter for her support and encouragement.


    Footnotes
 
1 Portions of the OTR mRNA distribution data were presented at the Wenner-Gren Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, 1996. This work was funded by the NIMH, NIH and by grant no. MH-01050 to C. S. Carter that provided partial support to C. Vaccari and E. Gournelos, who were also recipients of Howard Hughes Undergraduate Fellowships from the University of Maryland, College Park. Back

2 The sequences of the V1b and OT receptor genes can be obtained from S.J.L. upon request. Back

Received July 30, 1998.


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 Discussion
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