Chromaffin cell
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2008-04-24T13:27:46Z
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robot Adding: [[ja:クロム親和性細胞]]
[[Image:Adrenaline.svg|thumb|[[Epinephrine]]]]
[[Image:Norepinephrine structure.png |thumb|[[Norepinephrine]]]]
[[Image:Gray1185.png |thumb|Adrenal gland. (Medulla labeled at bottom right.)]]
'''Chromaffin cells''' are [[neuroendocrine cell]]s found in the [[adrenal medulla|medulla]] of the [[adrenal gland]] (suprarenal gland - located above the kidneys) and in other [[autonomic ganglion|ganglia]] of the [[sympathetic nervous system]]. They are derived from the [[embryo]]nic [[neural crest]].
In the fifth week of (human) fetal development, [[neuroblast]] cells migrate from the [[neural crest]] to form the [[Sympathetic nervous system| sympathetic chain]] and preaortic ganglia. The cells migrate a second time to the [[adrenal medulla]]. Chromaffin cells also settle near the sympathetic ganglia, vagus nerve, paraganglia, and carotid arteries. In lower concentrations, extra-adrenal chromaffin cells also reside in the [[bladder]] wall, [[prostate]], and behind the [[liver]].
==Function==
Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla are innervated by the [[splanchnic nerve]] and secrete [[epinephrine]], [[norepinephrine]], and [[enkephalin]] endogenous ligands, or specifically endorphins as they are internally derived and bind to the body's opioid receptors, into the [[blood]] stream. As such, they play an important role in the [[fight-or-flight response]]. They are also referred to as granules and this is where the enzyme dopamine-hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of [[dopamine]] to noradrenaline. Distinct N and E cell forms exist (also Na and A cells in British nomenclature - noradrenaline and adrenaline); the former produce norepinephrine, the latter arise out of N cells through interaction with glucocorticoids, and convert norepinephrine into epinephrine.<ref>Wheater's Functional Histology, 5th ed. Young, Lowe, Stevens and Heath.</ref>
==Nomenclature==
These [[cell (biology)|cell]]s are so-named because they can be visualized by [[stain]]ing with [[chromium]] salts. Chromaffin salts oxidize and polymerize [[catecholamines]] to form a brown color, most strongly in the cells secreting noradrenaline.
(The [[enterochromaffin cells]] cells are so named because of their histological similarity to chromaffin cells (they also stain yellow when treated with chromium salts), but their function is quite different.)
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{BUHistology|14507loa}} - "Endocrine System: adrenal gland, reticularis and medulla"
* [http://www.mpibpc.gwdg.de/abteilungen/140/projects/Chromaffin.html Secretion Control in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells]
* [http://medicine.ucsd.edu/hypertension UC-San Diego Chromaffin Cell and Hypertension Research]
* [http://webpages.ull.es/users/isccb12/ChromaffinCell/Primer.html A Primer on Chromaffin Cells]
* [http://www.natureprotocols.com/2006/09/29/rat_chromaffin_cells_primary_c.php Rat Chromaffin cells primary cultures: Standardization and quality assessment for single-cell assays (a protocol)]
{{Adrenal_gland}}
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[[Category:Neuroendocrine cells]]
[[Category:Human cells]]
[[fr:Cellule chromaffine]]
[[ja:クロム親和性細胞]]
[[ru:Хромаффинная клетка]]