Bradykinin-like immunoreactive neuronal systems localized histochemically in rat brain.

Bradykinin-like immunoreactive structures were localized in rat brain by the indirect immunofluorescence method. Specificity of staining was demonstrated by: (i) the absence of fluorescence when preimmune serum was used, (ii) the disappearance of fluorescence when sera were preadsorbed with bradykinin, and (iii) the presence of identical staining with two different antisera. Immunoreactive neuronal cells are observed only in the hypothalamus, with especially dense clusters overlying the periventricular and dorsomedial nuclei. Fibers and varicose processes are observed in the periaqueductal gray matter, hypothalamus, perirhinal and cingulate cortices, the ventral portion of caudate-putamen, and the lateral septal area.