Cardiodilatin-immunoreactivity in specific atrial granules of human heart revealed by the immunogold stain

Abstract
The immunogold technique was applied to detect cardiodilatin-immunoreactivity (CDD-IR) in human heart. Using antibodies directed against C-terminal regions of CDD, we could identify colloidal gold label in specific atrial granules of human heart. The granules in all areas of the myoendocrine cells were homogeneously labelled and all right atrial biopsy specimen of patients with different heart diseases reacted positively and had the same distribution of label. The Golgi-apparatus and ergastoplasma exhibited and extremely weak CDD-IR. The results indicate a predominant storage of CDD in specific granules.