Yiangou Y, Facer P, Smith JA, Sangameswaran L, Eglen R, Birch R, Knowles C, Williams N, Anand P. Increased acid-sensing ion channel ASIC-3 in inflamed human intestine.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2001;
13:891-6. [PMID:
11507351 DOI:
10.1097/00042737-200108000-00003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are expressed by rat sensory neurons and may mediate pain associated with tissue acidosis after inflammation or injury. Our aim was to examine the molecular forms and localization of ASICs in human intestine and dorsal root ganglia using immunochemical techniques, and to measure the effects of inflammation and injury.
DESIGN AND METHODS
Inflamed Crohn's disease intestine and injured human dorsal root ganglia, with appropriate controls, were studied by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, using specific affinity-purified ASIC antibodies.
RESULTS
In the Western blot, there was a significant three-fold increase in the mean relative optical density of the ASIC-3 55-kDa band (but not ASIC-1 or ASIC-2) in full-thickness inflamed intestine, as well as in separated muscle and mucosal layers. There was a corresponding trend for an increased immunoreactive density and increased number of ASIC-3-positive neurons in the myenteric and sub-mucous plexus of inflamed intestine. In dorsal root ganglia, immunoreactivity for all ASICs was restricted to a sub-population (about 50%) of small-diameter (nociceptor) sensory neurons, and was generally less intense after injury.
CONCLUSIONS
Increased ASIC-3 in inflamed intestine suggests a role in pain or dysmotility, for which ASICs represent new therapeutic targets.
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