Figure 1.

Expression of VMAT2 and VAChT in developing pre- and paravertebral ganglia of the rat. Expression of VMAT2 (a) and VAChT (b) mRNA in E14 sympathetic paravertebral (Left) and prevertebral (Right) chains detected by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Expression of VMAT2 (c) and VAChT (d) protein in E14 sympathetic paravertebral (Left) and prevertebral (Right) chains detected by immunohistochemistry. Note that the majority of principal ganglion cells in both pre- and paravertebral ganglia express VMAT2 at this stage of development. In contrast, VAChT expression is observed in several cells of the paravertebral, but only rarely in the prevertebral sympathetic chain. Note (d) the copious VAChT immunoreactivity investing principal ganglion cells of both pre- and paravertebral ganglia, and representing preganglionic cholinergic innervation of these cells, at E14. [Bar in b = 250 μm and this magnification holds for all micrographs in this figure.]