We investigated the distribution of adrenergic receptors in ferret trachea using autoradiography. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol, used to identify beta–-adrenoceptors, revealed a high density of specific binding sites over surface epithelium and submucosal glands, with less labelling of smooth muscle. [3H] prazosin labelling showed that alpha 1-receptors were numerous in glands and epithelium, but sparse in smooth muscle. Comparison of adrenergic receptor densities in tracheal sections from the same animals showed a rank order for submucosal glands of alpha l > beta, for epithelium beta > alphai and for smooth muscle beta > alpha1. Within the submucosal glands, alpha1 and beta-adrenergic receptors were differentially distributed, with alpha1 receptors being significantly more numerous over serous than mucous cells and beta receptors being significantly more numerous over mucous than serous cells. This technique provides insight into adrenergic regulation of airway function and should be useful in investigations of how relative receptor densities may be altered in disease.
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