Interleukin-6 in neurons of the pterygopalatine ganglion of the rat.

An indirect immunofluorescence method was used to study the pterygopalatine nerve ganglion in rats with the aim of determining the identification and locations within it of neurons expressing IL-6. A low density of IL-6-immunoreactive cells was seen in the cranial area of the ganglion; the medial surface and caudal area contained occasional cells demonstrating nuclear fluorescence; rarer groups of cells, organized into chains, were seen in the intermediate part of the ganglion on its lateral margin contacting the maxillary nerve.