Secretory pathways of neuropeptides in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglion neurons and effects of peripheral axotomy

Co-localization of nociceptive markers in the lumbar dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord of dromedary camel

Nociceptive markers in mice have been identified in two distinct peptidergic and nonpeptidergic neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and distributed in different laminae of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Recently, however, a study in humans showed a significant overlapping in these two populations. In this study, we investigated the distribution of various nociceptive markers in the lumbar DRG and spinal cord of the dromedary camel. Immunohistochemical data showed a remarkable percentage of total neurons in the DRG expressed IB4 binding (54.5%), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; 49.5%), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1; 48.2%), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS; 30.6%). The co-localization data showed that 89.6% and 74.0% of CGRP- and TRPV1-labeled neurons, respectively, were IB4 positive. In addition, 61.6% and 84.2% of TRPV1- and NOS-immunoreactive neurons, respectively, were also co-localized with CGRP. The distribution of IB4, CGRP, TRPV1, substance P, and NOS immunoreactivities in the spinal cord were observed in lamina I and outer lamina II (IIo). Quantitative data showed that 82.4% of IB4-positive nerve terminals in laminae I and IIo were co-localized with CGRP, and 86.0% of CGRP-labeled terminals were co-localized with IB4. Similarly, 85.1% of NOS-labeled nerve terminals were co-localized with CGRP. No neuropeptide Y (NPY) or cholecystokinin (CCK) immunoreactivities were detected in the DRG, and no co-localization between IB4, NPY, and CCK were observed in the spinal cord. Our results demonstrate marked convergence of nociceptive markers in the primary afferent neurons in camels, which is similar to humans rather than the mouse. The data also emphasizes the importance of interspecies differences when selecting ideal animal models for studying nociception and treating chronic pain.

Large dense-core vesicle exocytosis from mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons is regulated by neuropeptide Y

Peptidergic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons transmit sensory and nociceptive information from the periphery to the central nervous system. Their synaptic activity is profoundly affected by neuromodulatory peptides stored and released from large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs). However, the mechanism of peptide secretion from DRG neurons is poorly understood. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we visualized individual LDCVs loaded with fluorescent neuropeptide Y (NPY) and analyzed their stimulation-dependent release. We tested several protocols and found an overall low stimulation-secretion coupling that increased after raising intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration by applying a weak pre-stimulus. Interestingly, the stimulation protocol also influenced the mechanism of LDCV fusion. Depolarization of DRG neurons with a solution containing 60mM KCl triggered full fusion, kiss-and-run, and kiss-and-stay exocytosis with equal frequency. In contrast, field electrode stimulation primarily induced full fusion exocytosis. Finally, our results indicate that NPY can promote LDCV secretion. These results shed new light on the mechanism of NPY action during modulation of DRG neuron activity, an important pathway in the treatment of chronic pain.

The generation of knock-in mice expressing fluorescently tagged galanin receptors 1 and 2

The neuropeptide galanin has diverse roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems, by activating the G protein-coupled receptors Gal1, Gal2 and the less studied Gal3 (GalR1-3 gene products). There is a wealth of data on expression of Gal1-3 at the mRNA level, but not at the protein level due to the lack of specificity of currently available antibodies. Here we report the generation of knock-in mice expressing Gal1 or Gal2 receptor fluorescently tagged at the C-terminus with, respectively, mCherry or hrGFP (humanized Renilla green fluorescent protein). In dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons expressing the highest levels of Gal1-mCherry, localization to the somatic cell membrane was detected by live-cell fluorescence and immunohistochemistry, and that fluorescence decreased upon addition of galanin. In spinal cord, abundant Gal1-mCherry immunoreactive processes were detected in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn, and highly expressing intrinsic neurons of the lamina III/IV border showed both somatic cell membrane localization and outward transport of receptor from the cell body, detected as puncta within cell processes. In brain, high levels of Gal1-mCherry immunofluorescence were detected within thalamus, hypothalamus and amygdala, with a high density of nerve endings in the external zone of the median eminence, and regions with lesser immunoreactivity included the dorsal raphe nucleus. Gal2-hrGFP mRNA was detected in DRG, but live-cell fluorescence was at the limits of detection, drawing attention to both the much lower mRNA expression than to Gal1 in mice and the previously unrecognized potential for translational control by upstream open reading frames (uORFs).

Fifth lumbar spinal nerve injury causes neurochemical changes in corresponding as well as adjacent spinal segments: a possible mechanism underlying neuropathic pain

Previous investigations of the anatomical basis of the neuropathic-like manifestations in the spinal nerve ligation animal model have shown that the central terminations of the unmyelinated primary afferents of L5 spinal nerve are not restricted to the corresponding L5 spinal segment, and rather extend to two spinal segments rostrally and one segment caudally where they intermingle with primary afferents of the adjacent L4 spinal nerve. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurochemical changes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and DRGs after L5 nerve injury in rats. In the first experiment, the right L5 nerve was ligated and sectioned for 14 days, and isolectin B4 (IB4, a tracer for unmyelinated primary afferents) was injected into the left L5 nerve. The results showed that the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was up-regulated in laminae I-II of L3-L6 spinal segments on the right side in exactly the same areas where IB4 labelled terminals were revealed on the left side. In the second experiment, L5 was ligated and sectioned and the spinal cord and DRGs were stained immunocytochemically with antibodies raised against various peptides known to be involved in pain transmission and hyperalgesia. The results showed that L5 nerve lesion caused down-regulation of substance P, calcitonin-gene related peptide and IB4 binding and up-regulation of neuropeptide Y and neurokinin-1 receptor in the dorsal horn of L4 and L5 spinal segments. Similar neurochemical changes were observed only in the corresponding L5 DRG with minimal effects observed in L3, L4 and L6 DRGs. Although, L5 nerve injury caused an up-regulation in NPY, no change in SP and CGRP immunoreactivity was observed in ipsilateral garcile nucleus. These neuroplastic changes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, in the adjacent uninjured territories of the central terminations of the adjacent uninjured nerves, might explain the mechanism of hyperalgesia after peripheral nerve injury.

TRPV1 channels are functionally coupled with BK(mSlo1) channels in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons

The transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) channel is a nonselective cation channel activated by a variety of exogenous and endogenous physical and chemical stimuli, such as temperature (≥42 °C), capsaicin, a pungent compound in hot chili peppers, and allyl isothiocyanate. Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels regulate the electric activities and neurotransmitter releases in excitable cells, responding to changes in membrane potentials and elevation of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca²⁺). However, it is unknown whether the TRPV1 channels are coupled with the BK channels. Using patch-clamp recording combined with an infrared laser device, we found that BK channels could be activated at 0 mV by a Ca²⁺ influx through TRPV1 channels not the intracellular calcium stores in submilliseconds. The local calcium concentration around BK is estimated over 10 μM. The crosstalk could be affected by 10 mM BAPTA, whereas 5 mM EGTA was ineffectual. Fluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation experiments also showed that BK and TRPV1 were able to form a TRPV1-BK complex. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the TRPV1-BK coupling also occurs in dosal root ganglion (DRG) cells, which plays a critical physiological role in regulating the “pain” signal transduction pathway in the peripheral nervous system.

Real-time endocytosis imaging as a rapid assay of ligand-GPCR binding in single cells

Most G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) do not generate membrane currents in response to ligand-receptor binding (LRB). Here, we describe a novel technique using endocytosis as a bioassay that can detect activation of a GPCR in a way analogous to patch-clamp recording of an ion channel in a living cell. The confocal imaging technique, termed FM endocytosis imaging (FEI), can record ligand-GPCR binding with high temporal (second) and spatial (micrometer) resolution. LRB leads to internalization of an endocytic vesicle, which can be labeled by a styryl FM dye and visualized as a fluorescent spot. Distinct from the green fluorescence protein-labeling method, FEI can detect LRB endocytosis mediated by essentially any receptors (GPCRs or receptors of tyrosine kinase) in a native cell/cell line. Three modified versions of FEI permit promising applications in functional GPCR studies and drug screening in living cells: 1) LRB can be recorded in “real time” (time scale of seconds); 2) internalized vesicles mediated by different GPCRs can be discriminated by different colors; and 3) a high throughput method can screen ligands of a specific GPCR.

Modality-specific axonal regeneration: toward selective regenerative neural interfaces

Regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces have been proposed as viable alternatives for the natural control of robotic prosthetic devices. However, sensory and motor axons at the neural interface are of mixed sub-modality types, which difficult the specific recording from motor axons and the eliciting of precise sensory modalities through selective stimulation. Here we evaluated the possibility of using type specific neurotrophins to preferentially entice the regeneration of defined axonal populations from transected peripheral nerves into separate compartments. Segregation of mixed sensory fibers from dorsal root ganglion neurons was evaluated in vitro by compartmentalized diffusion delivery of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), to preferentially entice the growth of TrkA+ nociceptive and TrkC+ proprioceptive subsets of sensory neurons, respectively. The average axon length in the NGF channel increased 2.5-fold compared to that in saline or NT-3, whereas the number of branches increased threefold in the NT-3 channels. These results were confirmed using a 3D “Y”-shaped in vitro assay showing that the arm containing NGF was able to entice a fivefold increase in axonal length of unbranched fibers. To address if such segregation can be enticed in vivo, a “Y”-shaped tubing was used to allow regeneration of the transected adult rat sciatic nerve into separate compartments filled with either NFG or NT-3. A significant increase in the number of CGRP+ pain fibers were attracted toward the sural nerve, while N-52+ large-diameter axons were observed in the tibial and NT-3 compartments. This study demonstrates the guided enrichment of sensory axons in specific regenerative chambers, and supports the notion that neurotrophic factors can be used to segregate sensory and perhaps motor axons in separate peripheral interfaces.

Two distinct vesicle pools for depolarization-induced exocytosis in somata of dorsal root ganglion neurons

The somata of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons release neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. In addition to the conventional Ca2+-dependent secretion (CDS), Ca2+-independent but voltage-dependent secretion (CIVDS) also occurs in the somata of DRG neurons. Electrical stimulation induces both CDS and CIVDS, which differ in size and are coupled with different types of endocytosis contributed by CIVDS and CDS, respectively. However, it is unclear whether they use a common vesicle pool, so we investigated the relationship between the vesicle pools of CDS and CIVDS. Membrane capacitance recording and photolysis of a caged-Ca2+ compound showed that, in low external Ca2+ solutions, the depolarization-induced exocytosis contained two (fast and slow) phases, which were contributed by CIVDS and CDS, respectively. Depletion of the CDS readily releasable pool using photolysis did not affect the CIVDS. When the CIVDS and CDS vesicle pools were depleted by electrical stimulation, the pools had different sizes. Their kinetics of exocytosis-coupled endocytosis were also different. Thus, CIVDS and CDS used different vesicle pools in DRG neurons.

Non-conducting function of the Kv2.1 channel enables it to recruit vesicles for release in neuroendocrine and nerve cells

Regulation of exocytosis by voltage-gated K+ channels has classically been viewed as inhibition mediated by K+ fluxes. We recently identified a new role for Kv2.1 in facilitating vesicle release from neuroendocrine cells, which is independent of K+ flux. Here, we show that Kv2.1-induced facilitation of release is not restricted to neuroendocrine cells, but also occurs in the somatic-vesicle release from dorsal-root-ganglion neurons and is mediated by direct association of Kv2.1 with syntaxin. We further show in adrenal chromaffin cells that facilitation induced by both wild-type and non-conducting mutant Kv2.1 channels in response to long stimulation persists during successive stimulation, and can be attributed to an increased number of exocytotic events and not to changes in single-spike kinetics. Moreover, rigorous analysis of the pools of released vesicles reveals that Kv2.1 enhances the rate of vesicle recruitment during stimulation with high Ca2+, without affecting the size of the readily releasable vesicle pool. These findings place a voltage-gated K+ channel among the syntaxin-binding proteins that directly regulate pre-fusion steps in exocytosis.

How do the satellite glia cells of the dorsal root ganglia respond to stressed neurons? – nitric oxide saga from embryonic development to axonal injury in adulthood

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) respond to peripheral nerve injury by up-regulating nitric oxide (NO) production by neurons and glia in addition to local fibroblasts, endothelium and macrophages. We hypothesise that NO produced from these cells has specific roles. We have shown that when neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) is blocked in axotomised DRG, neurons undergo degenerative changes (Thippeswamy et al., 2001, 2007a). Further, we demonstrated that increased neuronal NO production, in response to axotomy/growth factor-deprivation in vitro, signals glial cells to produce trophic factors to support neuronal survival (Thippeswamy et al., 2005a). Recently, we found that treating satellite glia–neuron co-cultures with nNOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7NI), decreases the number of nestin+ cells that show neuron-like morphology. Cultured/axotomised DRG also upregulate inducible NOS (iNOS) in non-neuronal cells. Therefore, it is plausible that degenerative changes following nNOS inhibition are also due to iNOS-mediated excessive NO production by non-neuronal cells, which indeed is cytotoxic. NG-nitro-l-arginine methylester (L-NAME), the pan NOS inhibitor did not significantly change nNOS+ neuron number in axotomised DRG compared to 7NI suggesting that iNOS-mediated NO contributes to the degenerative process. In this paper, these findings from our and others' past work on NO-mediated neuron–glia signalling in axotomised DRG are discussed.

Adenovector GAD65 gene delivery into the rat trigeminal ganglion produces orofacial analgesia

Background

Our goal is to use gene therapy to alleviate pain by targeting glial cells. In an animal model of facial pain we tested the effect of transfecting the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) gene into satellite glial cells (SGCs) of the trigeminal ganglion by using a serotype 5 adenovector with high tropisms for glial cells. We postulated that GABA produced from the expression of GAD would reduce pain behavior by acting on GABA receptors on neurons within the ganglion.

Results

Injection of adenoviral vectors (AdGAD65) directly into the trigeminal ganglion leads to sustained expression of the GAD65 isoform over the 4 weeks observation period. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that adenovirus-mediated GAD65 expression and GABA synthesis were mainly in SGCs. GABAA and GABAB receptors were both seen in sensory neurons, yet only GABAA receptors decorated the neuronal surface. GABA receptors were not found on SGCs. Six days after injection of AdGAD65 into the trigeminal ganglion, there was a statistically significant decrease of pain behavior in the orofacial formalin test, a model of inflammatory pain. Rats injected with control virus (AdGFP or AdLacZ) had no reduction in their pain behavior. AdGAD65-dependent analgesia was blocked by bicuculline, a selective GABAA receptor antagonist, but not by CGP46381, a selective GABAB receptor antagonist.

Conclusion

Transfection of glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion with the GAD gene blocks pain behavior by acting on GABAA receptors on neuronal perikarya.

Action potential modulates Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent secretion in a sensory neuron

Neurotransmitter release normally requires calcium triggering. However, the somata of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons possess a calcium-independent but voltage-dependent secretion (CIVDS) in addition to the classic calcium-dependent secretion (CDS). Here, we investigated the physiological role of CIVDS and the contributions of CIVDS and CDS induced by action potentials (APs) in DRG soma. Using membrane capacitance measurements, caged calcium photolysis, and membrane capacitance kinetics analysis, we demonstrated that AP-induced secretion had both CIVDS and CDS components. Following physiological stimuli, the dominant component of AP-induced secretion was either CIVDS for spontaneous firing or CDS for high-intensity stimuli. AP frequency modulates CDS-coupled exocytosis and CIVDS-coupled endocytosis but not CIVDS-coupled exocytosis and CDS-coupled endocytosis. Finally, CIVDS did not contribute to excitatory postsynaptic currents induced by APs in DRG presynaptic terminals in the spinal cord. Thus, CIVDS is probably an essential physiological component of AP-induced secretion in the soma. These findings bring novel insights into primary sensory processes in DRG neurons.

Calcium sparks

The calcium ion (Ca(2+)) is the simplest and most versatile intracellular messenger known. The discovery of Ca(2+) sparks and a related family of elementary Ca(2+) signaling events has revealed fundamental principles of the Ca(2+) signaling system. A newly appreciated "digital" subsystem consisting of brief, high Ca(2+) concentration over short distances (nanometers to microns) comingles with an "analog" global Ca(2+) signaling subsystem. Over the past 15 years, much has been learned about the theoretical and practical aspects of spark formation and detection. The quest for the spark mechanisms [the activation, coordination, and termination of Ca(2+) release units (CRUs)] has met unexpected challenges, however, and raised vexing questions about CRU operation in situ. Ample evidence shows that Ca(2+) sparks catalyze many high-threshold Ca(2+) processes involved in cardiac and skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling, vascular tone regulation, membrane excitability, and neuronal secretion. Investigation of Ca(2+) sparks in diseases has also begun to provide novel insights into hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and muscular dystrophy. An emerging view is that spatially and temporally patterned activation of the digital subsystem confers on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling an exquisite architecture in space, time, and intensity, which underpins signaling efficiency, stability, specificity, and diversity. These recent advances in "sparkology" thus promise to unify the simplicity and complexity of Ca(2+) signaling in biology.

Sustained depolarization-induced propagation of [Ca2+]i oscillations in cultured DRG neurons: the involvement of extracellular ATP and P2Y receptor activation

Recently emerging evidence implicates a number of neuroactive substances and their receptors in mediating complex cell-to-cell communications in the ganglia. In the present study, we characterized the nonsynaptic chemical coupling mediated by extracellular ATP in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuron cultures by using the real time imaging of ATP, whole-cell patch clamping, in conjunction with confocal calcium imaging. Sustained depolarization by electrical stimulation evoked intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) oscillations in individual DRG neurons, and subsequent ATP-dependent propagation [Ca2+]i oscillations to surrounding non-stimulated neighbors. [Ca2+]i oscillations were suppressed by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist 2-APB, but not ryanodine. The propagation of [Ca2+]i oscillations was prevented by the presence of the ATP-degrading enzyme, apyrase, and completely abolished by the blockase of G protein-coupled purinergic receptors-PLC-IP3 pathway with suramin, U73122 or 2-APB. In parallel, sustained depolarization elicited robust ATP release and diffusion from the stimulation site. Moreover, exogenous application of ATP to DRG cultures in large concentration elicits the [Ca2+]i oscillations in most neurons. Taken together, this data demonstrates that sustained membrane depolarization elicited ATP release, acting through a highly sensitive P2Y receptors/IP3-mediated signaling pathway to mediate the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ signaling, which suggest a novel signaling pathway for neuronal communication in DRG.

Activation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels by puerarin: the underlying mechanism of puerarin-mediated vasodilation

Puerarin is the main isoflavone found in Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi, which has been used in therapy for various cardiovascular diseases. The present study examined the effects of puerarin on the large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel and on rat thoracic aortas. BK(Ca) channels encoded with either alpha (BK-alpha) or alpha/beta subunits (BK-alpha+beta1) were heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes or human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The activities of BK(Ca) channels were measured using excised patch-clamp recordings. Puerarin activated BK-alpha+beta1 currents with a half-maximal concentration (EC50) of 0.8 nM and a Hill coefficient of 1.11 at 10 microM Ca2+ and with an EC50 of 12.6 nM and a Hill coefficient of 1.08 at 0 microM Ca2+. Puerarin (1 nM) induced a 16-mV leftward shift in the conductance-voltage curve for BK-alpha+beta1 currents at 10 microM Ca2+ and at 100 nM induced a 26-mV leftward shift at 0 microM Ca2+. Puerarin mainly increased the BK-alpha+beta1 channel open probability without changing the unitary conductance. Activation was also detected in the absence of the beta1 subunit. A deglycosylated analog of puerarin, daidzein, also activated BK(Ca) channels with weaker potency. In addition, puerarin (0.1 to 1000 microM) caused concentration-dependent relaxations of rat thoracic aortic rings contracted with 1 microM noradrenaline bitartrate (EC50 = 1.1 microM). These were significantly inhibited by 50 nM iberiotoxin, a specific blocker of BK(Ca) channels. This is the first study demonstrating that puerarin activates BK(Ca) channels, especially BK-alpha+beta1 channels. The activation of the BK(Ca) channel probably contributes to the puerarin-mediated vasodilation action.

NPY and pain as seen from the histochemical side

The expression of neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and two of its receptors (Y1- and Y2Rs) in different types of rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord neurons, and their regulation by peripheral nerve injury, have suggested a role in neuropathic pain. Here we present the spinal NPYergic system from an immunohistochemical perspective based on recent studies using two specific antibodies recognizing the Y1- and Y2Rs, respectively, as well as on data from a study on a Y1R knock-out mouse. We have, for example, defined seven different neuron populations of Y1R-expressing neurons in the rat spinal cord, representing multiple targets for spinally released NPY. The differential distribution of NPY receptors probably explains both the pro- and antinociceptive effects of NPY previously reported in the literature. One system possibly responsible for antinociception is a group of Y1R-positive, presumably glutamatergic interneurons in the superficial dorsal horn laminae. We also discuss the possibility that NPY released within DRGs can act in a paracrine fashion on NPY receptors on adjacent neurons, perhaps contributing to the so-called cross excitation, a concept advanced by Devor, Amir and collaborators. Taken together with behavioral and electrophysiological results summarized by Smith et al. in this volume, histochemical analyses have advanced the knowledge on the role of NPY in pain processing.

Dissociation of dorsal root ganglion neurons induces hyperexcitability that is maintained by increased responsiveness to cAMP and cGMP

Injury or inflammation affecting sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) causes hyperexcitability of DRG neurons that can lead to spontaneous firing and neuropathic pain. Recent results indicate that after chronic compression of DRG (CCD treatment), both hyperexcitability of neurons in intact DRG and behaviorally expressed hyperalgesia are maintained by concurrent activity in cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) and cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathways. We report here that when tested under identical conditions, dissociation produces a pattern of hyperexcitability in small DRG neurons similar to that produced by CCD treatment, manifest as decreased action potential (AP) current threshold, increased AP duration, increased repetitive firing to depolarizing pulses, increased spontaneous firing and resting depolarization. A novel feature of this hyperexcitability is its early expression-as soon as testing can be conducted after dissociation (approximately 2 h). Both forms of injury increase the electrophysiological responsiveness of the neurons to activation of cAMP-PKA and cGMP-PKG pathways as indicated by enhancement of hyperexcitability by agonists of these pathways in dissociated or CCD-treated neurons but not in control neurons. Although inflammatory signals are known to activate cAMP-PKA pathways, dissociation-induced hyperexcitability is unlikely to be triggered by signals released from inflammatory cells recruited to the DRG because of insufficient time for recruitment during the dissociation procedure. Inhibition by specific antagonists indicates that continuing activation of cAMP-PKA and cGMP-PKG pathways is required to maintain hyperexcitability after dissociation. The reduction of hyperexcitability by blockers of adenylyl cyclase and soluble guanylyl cyclase after dissociation suggests a continuing release of autocrine and/or paracrine factors from dissociated neurons and/or satellite cells, which activate both cyclases and help to maintain acute, injury-induced hyperexcitability of DRG neurons.

Time course of substance P expression in dorsal root ganglia following complete spinal nerve transection

Recent evidence suggests that substance P (SP) is up-regulated in primary sensory neurons following axotomy and that this change occurs in larger neurons that do not usually produce SP. If this is so, then the up-regulation may allow normally neighboring, uninjured, and nonnociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to become effective in activating pain pathways. By using immunohistochemistry, we performed a unilateral L5 spinal nerve transection on male Wistar rats and measured SP expression in ipsilateral L4 and L5 DRGs and contralateral L5 DRGs at 1-14 days postoperatively (dpo) and in control and sham-operated rats. In normal and sham-operated DRGs, SP was detectable almost exclusively in small neurons (< or =800 microm2). After surgery, the mean size of SP-positive neurons from the axotomized L5 ganglia was greater at 2, 4, 7, and 14 dpo. Among large neurons (>800 microm2) from the axotomized L5, the percentage of SP-positive neurons increased at 2, 4, 7, and 14 dpo. Among small neurons from the axotomized L5, the percentage of SP-positive neurons was increased at 1 and 3 dpo but was decreased at 7 and 14 dpo. Thus, SP expression is affected by axonal damage, and the time course of the expression is different between large and small DRG neurons. These data support a role for SP-producing, large DRG neurons in persistent sensory changes resulting from nerve injury.

The timing of endocytosis after activation of a G-protein-coupled receptor in a sensory neuron

Endocytosis is a fundamental cellular event in membrane retrieval after exocytosis and in the regulation of receptor-mediated signal transduction. In contrast to the well-studied depolarization-induced membrane recycling, little is known about the kinetics of ligand-induced endocytosis of G-protein-coupled receptors in neurons. Here we investigated the kinetics of ligand-receptor binding-induced endocytosis in rat sensory neurons using a membrane capacitance assay. The time constant of ADP-induced endocytosis of P2Y-receptors was determined as 1.7 s. The ADP-induced endocytosis was blocked by antagonists against P2Y, phosphorylation, and clathrin. However, block of dynamin was without effect. The ADP-induced endocytosis was confirmed independently by a single vesicle image technique using a styryl FM2-10. Finally, the receptors were internalized in response to ADP, as determined by GFP-labeled P2Y. We conclude that ligand-receptor binding leads to rapid endocytosis in the cytoplasm of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Interaction with vesicle luminal protachykinin regulates surface expression of delta-opioid receptors and opioid analgesia

Opioid and tachykinin systems are involved in modulation of pain transmission in the spinal cord. Regulation of surface opioid receptors on nociceptive afferents is critical for opioid analgesia. Plasma-membrane insertion of delta-opioid receptors (DORs) is induced by stimulus-triggered exocytosis of DOR-containing large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs), but how DORs become sorted into the regulated secretory pathway is unknown. Here we report that direct interaction between protachykinin and DOR is responsible for sorting of DORs into LDCVs, allowing stimulus-induced surface insertion of DORs and DOR-mediated spinal analgesia. This interaction is mediated by the substance P domain of protachykinin and the third luminal domain of DOR. Furthermore, deletion of the preprotachykinin A gene reduced stimulus-induced surface insertion of DORs and abolished DOR-mediated spinal analgesia and morphine tolerance. Thus, protachykinin is essential for modulation of the sensitivity of nociceptive afferents to opioids, and the opioid and tachykinin systems are directly linked by protachykinin/DOR interaction.

Ca2+ sparks and secretion in dorsal root ganglion neurons

Ca(2+) sparks as the elementary intracellular Ca(2+) release events are instrumental to local control of Ca(2+) signaling in many types of cells. Here, we visualized neural Ca(2+) sparks in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and investigated possible role of DRG sparks in the regulation of secretion from the somata of the cell. DRG sparks arose mainly from type 3 ryanodine receptor Ca(2+) release channels on subsurface cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, rendering a striking subsurface localization. Caffeine- or 3,7-dimethyl-1-(2-propynyl)xanthine-induced store Ca(2+) release, in the form of Ca(2+) sparks, triggered exocytosis, independently of membrane depolarization and external Ca(2+). The spark-secretion coupling probability was estimated to be between 1 vesicle per 6.6 sparks and 1 vesicle per 11.4 sparks. During excitation, subsurface sparks were evoked by physiological Ca(2+) entry via the Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release mechanism, and their synergistic interaction with Ca(2+) influx accounted for approximately 60% of the Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis. Furthermore, inhibition of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release abolished endotoxin-induced secretion of pain-related neuropeptides. These findings underscore an important role for Ca(2+) sparks in the amplification of surface Ca(2+) influx and regulation of neural secretion.

Alpha7 integrin mediates neurite outgrowth of distinct populations of adult sensory neurons

The successful regeneration of peripheral branches of sensory neurons following injury is attributed to the presence of neurotrophins and interaction of regenerating axons with the extracellular matrix. Here, we show that the laminin receptor, alpha7beta1 integrin is a crucial mediator of neurite outgrowth from distinct populations of sensory neurons. Following sciatic nerve crush, alpha7 integrin is expressed by medium-large diameter, NF200-immunoreactive (IR), and medium diameter, CGRP-IR, neurons, but very few small diameter non-peptidergic neurons. The functional significance of alpha7 integrin expression following injury was addressed using dissociated adult rat and mouse sensory neurons. By using function-blocking antibodies and neurons isolated from alpha7 integrin null mice, we demonstrate that NGF- and NT-3-stimulated neurite outgrowth is reduced in the absence of alpha7 integrin signaling. In contrast, GDNF-stimulated neurite outgrowth is less dependent on alpha7 integrin. These results define an essential interaction between alpha7 integrin and laminin for mediating neurite outgrowth of subpopulations of injured adult sensory neurons.

A simulation study on the Ca2+-independent but voltage-dependent exocytosis and endocytosis in dorsal root ganglion neurons

In patch-clamped somata of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, two types of secretion have been proposed: Ca(2+)-dependent secretion and Ca(2+)-independent but voltage-dependent secretion (CIVDS). The Ca(2+)-induced and the depolarization-induced membrane capacitance (C(m)) increases contribute 80 and 20% to the total C(m) increase, respectively (Zhang and Zhou in Nat Neurosci 5:425, 2002). In order to explore the mechanism of the voltage-dependent C(m) change (DeltaC(m)), we constructed a model with sequential states. The simulation with this model closely approximates all the experimental data. The model predicts that the majority of fusion events (approximately 80%) are so-called "kiss-and-run" events, which account for the fast recovery or the rapid retrieval feature of the signals. The remaining 20% are attributed to full fusion events, which account for a slow retrieval feature. On the basis of the model, one mechanism of the activity-dependent endocytosis has revealed a differential distribution of vesicles between the kiss-and-run and full fusion states at different stimulation frequencies. The quantitative model presented in this study may help us to understand the mechanism of the CIVDS and the tightly coupled endocytosis found in mammalian DRG neurons.

NGF stimulates extensive neurite outgrowth from implanted dorsal root ganglion neurons following transplantation into the adult rat inner ear

Neuronal tissue transplantation is a potential way to replace degenerated spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) since these cells cannot regenerate in adult mammals. To investigate whether nerve growth factor (NGF) can stimulate neurite outgrowth from implanted neurons, mouse embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were transplanted into the scala tympani of adult rats with a supplement of NGF or artificial perilymph. DRG neurons were observed in the cochlea for up to 6 weeks postoperatively. A significant difference was identified in the number of DRG neurons between the NGF and non-NGF groups. In the NGF group, extensive neurite projections from DRGs were found penetrating the osseous modiolus towards the spiral ganglion. These results suggest the possibility that embryonic neuronal implants may become integrated within the adult auditory nervous system. In combination with a cochlear prosthesis, a neuronal implantation strategy may provide a possibility for further treatment of profoundly deaf patients.

Distribution of galanin and galanin transcript in the brain of a galanin-overexpressing transgenic mouse

The distribution of galanin mRNA-expressing cells and galanin-immunoreactive (IR) cell bodies and processes was studied in the brain of mice overexpressing galanin under the PDGF-B promoter (GalOE mice) and of wild type (WT) mice, both in colchicine-treated and non-treated animals. In this abstract, we only describe the results in GalOE mouse. A widespread ectopic expression of galanin (both mRNA and peptide) was found, that is a situation when neither transcript nor peptide could be seen in WT mice, not even after colchicine treatment. However, in some regions, such as claustrum, basolateral amygdala, thalamus, CA1 pyramidal cells, and Purkinje cells only galanin mRNA could be detected. In the forebrain galanin was seen in the mitral cells of the olfactory bulb, throughout the cortex, in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, claustrum, granular and pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus, subiculum and presubiculum. In the thalamus, the anterodorsal, mediodorsal, intermediodorsal and mediodorsal lateral nuclei, the reuniens and reticular nuclei showed ectopic expression of galanin. Within the hypothalamus, neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus contained galanin. In the mesencephalon, the geniculate nucleus, nucleus ruber, the mesencephalic trigeminal and reticulotegmental nuclei ectopically expressed galanin. In the cerebellum, galanin was observed in the Purkinje cells and in the lateral and interposed cerebellar nuclei. In the pons, sensory and motor nuclei of the trigeminal nerve, the laterodorsal and dorsal tegmental nuclei, the pontine, reticulotegmental and gigantocellular reticular nuclei expressed galanin. Within the medulla oblongata, labeled cells were detected in the facial, ambiguus, prepositus, lateral paragigantocellular and lateral reticular nuclei, and spinal trigeminal nucleus. High densities of galanin-IR fibers were found in the axonal terminals of the lateral olfactory tract, the hippocampal and presumably the cerebellar mossy fibers system, in several thalamic and hypothalamic regions and the lower brain stem. Possible functional consequences of galanin overexpression are discussed.

Immunogold detection of co-localized neuropeptides: methodological aspects

Whatever the protocol used, electron microscopic immunogold detection still suffers from a lack of sensitivity. In rat supraoptico-posthypophyseal neurons, unlabeled secretory granules are always detectable after electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, and their real status remains questionable. To improve the sensitivity of this approach, we assessed a protocol to visualize either one or the other of co-localized neuropeptides, i.e., vasopressin or galanin, after two successive rounds of immunogold with the same primary antibody performed on both faces of the grid. The use of different-sized gold particles enabled us to visualize the respective contribution of each face of the section to the final labeling. Our results showed a moderate but significant increase in both the proportion of labeled granules and the labeling intensity. Although limited, this improvement of immunogold detection strengthens the relevance of quantitative studies at the electron microscopic level, likely to reveal fine variations of the neuron peptidergic content. However, this enhancement depended on the peptide studied. The present data confirmed a progressive decrease of vasopressin immunoreactivity, already suggested by the single-staining procedure, all along the hypothalamo-posthypophyseal tract. In contrast, labeling intensity for galanin remained steady. Finally, our double-face labeling supported a preferential routing of galanin-containing secretory granules towards dendrites.

Effect of a graded single constriction of the rat sciatic nerve on pain behavior and expression of immunoreactive NPY and NPY Y1 receptor in DRG neurons and spinal cord

In the present study, the rat sciatic nerve was constricted to varying degrees using only one ligature with a very thin polyethylene sheath placed between nerve and ligature thread. Complete nerve transection was studied for comparison. With a 40-80% constriction of the nerve we observed allodynia to a similar extent as in the so-called Bennett model based on four loose ligatures. We also monitored changes in the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the NPY Y1 receptor (Y1R) in the lumbar 4-5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and dorsal horn and found upregulation of NPY and downregulation of the Y1R in DRG neurons after injury. These results indicate that similar peptide and receptor changes occur in this model as after axotomy and in other nerve injury models, although the immunohistochemical and behavioral changes seem to be dependent on the degree of constriction of the nerve. Thus, it seems relevant to monitor the degree of constriction when evaluating pain and other post-injury events. The possibility that some of the changes in NPY-ergic neurotransmission are related to the generation of allodynia is discussed; as well as the possibility to use this mononeuropathic model based on a single ligature nerve constriction (SLNC) as a complementary approach to other widely used pain models.

Control of secretion by temporal patterns of action potentials in adrenal chromaffin cells

Action potentials (APs) are the principal physiological stimuli for neurotransmitter secretion in neurons. Most studies on stimulus-secretion coupling have been performed under voltage clamp using artificial electrical stimuli. To investigate the modulatory effects of AP codes on neural secretion, we introduce a capacitance method to study AP-induced secretion in single cells. The action potential pattern was defined by a four-parameter "code function:" F(n, m, f, d). With this method, cell secretion evoked by stimulation with an AP code was quantified in real time by membrane capacitance (Cm) in adrenal chromaffin cells. We found, in addition to AP frequency (f), for a given number of APs, another parameter of the AP code, the number of AP bursts (m) in which the set of APs occurs, can effectively modulate cell secretion. Possible mechanisms of the m effect are depletion of the readily releasable pool and inactivation of Ca2+ channels during a burst of APs. The physiological m effect may play a key role in AP-mediated neural information transfer within a single neuron and among the elements of a neural network.

Peripheral axotomy induces only very limited sprouting of coarse myelinated afferents into inner lamina II of rat spinal cord

Peripheral axotomy-induced sprouting of thick myelinated afferents (A-fibers) from laminae III-IV into laminae I-II of the spinal cord is a well-established hypothesis for the structural basis of neuropathic pain. However, we show here that the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), a neuronal tracer used to demonstrate the sprouting of A-fibers in several earlier studies, also labels unmyelinated afferents (C-fibers) in lamina II and thin myelinated afferents in lamina I, when applied after peripheral nerve transection. The lamina II afferents also contained vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and galanin, two neuropeptides mainly expressed in small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and C-fibers. In an attempt to label large DRG neurons and A-fibers selectively, CTB was applied four days before axotomy (pre-injury-labelling), and sprouting was monitored after axotomy. We found that only a small number of A-fibers sprouted into inner lamina II, a region normally innervated by C-fibers, but not into outer lamina II or lamina I. Such sprouts made synaptic contact with dendrites in inner lamina II. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was found in these sprouts in inner lamina II, an area very rich in Y1 receptor-positive processes. These results suggest that axotomy-induced sprouting from deeper to superficial layers is much less pronounced than previously assumed, in fact it is only marginal. This limited reorganization involves large NPY immunoreactive DRG neurons sprouting into the Y1 receptor-rich inner lamina II. Even if quantitatively small, it cannot be excluded that this represents a functional circuitry involved in neuropathic pain.

Identification of gene expression profile of dorsal root ganglion in the rat peripheral axotomy model of neuropathic pain

Phenotypic modification of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons represents an important mechanism underlying neuropathic pain. However, the nerve injury-induced molecular changes are not fully identified. To determine the molecular alterations in a broader way, we have carried out cDNA array on the genes mainly made from the cDNA libraries of lumbar DRGs of normal rats and of rats 14 days after peripheral axotomy. Of the 7,523 examined genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs), the expression of 122 genes and 51 expressed sequence tags is strongly changed. These genes encompass a large number of members of distinct families, including neuropeptides, receptors, ion channels, signal transduction molecules, synaptic vesicle proteins, and others. Of particular interest is the up-regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor alpha5 subunit, peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit, P2Y1 purinoceptor, Na(+) channel beta2 subunit, and L-type Ca(2+) channel alpha2delta-1 subunit. Our findings therefore reveal dynamic and complex changes in molecular diversity among DRG neurons after axotomy. Sequences reported in this paper have been deposited in the GenBank database (accession numbers BG 662484-BG 673712)

Ca(2+)-independent but voltage-dependent secretion in mammalian dorsal root ganglion neurons

We have investigated the Ca(2+) dependence of vesicular secretion from the soma of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which secrete neuropeptides by exocytosis of dense-core vesicles. In patch-clamped somata of rat DRG neurons, we found a depolarization-induced membrane capacitance increase (DeltaC(m)) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) and in the presence of a Ca(2+) chelator (BAPTA) in the intracellular solution. Depletion of internal Ca(2+) stores by thapsigargin in the Ca(2+)-free bath also did not block the DeltaC(m), indicating that Ca(2+) release from internal Ca(2+) stores may not have been involved. Furthermore, the Ca(2+)-independent DeltaC(m) was blocked by whole-cell dialysis with tetanus toxin and was accompanied by pulsatile secretion of false transmitters, as detected by amperometric measurements. These results indicate the existence of Ca(2+)-independent but voltage-dependent vesicular secretion (CIVDS) in a mammalian sensory neuron.

Regulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide expression in vitro: possibility of a new role for leukemia inhibitory factor

Calcitonin-gene related peptide is among a group of peptides whose expressions are down-regulated following peripheral nerve damage. It is known that this is probably due to deprivation of some target-derived neurotrophic factors, mainly of nerve growth factor though positive effect of other factors, for example that of leukemia inhibitory factor on galanin has also been demonstrated. In this study, the effects of leukemia inhibitory factor and nerve growth factor on calcitonin gene related peptide expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion explants and in their outgrowing axons were examined. Lumbar dorsal root ganglia with short pieces of peripheral nerves were removed from adult mice and explanted into collagen gels. They were covered with RPMI 1640 culture medium and left in an incubator for 2 days after which they were fixed. These whole mount preparations with outgrowing axons were stained with an antibody against calcitonin gene related peptide. Following microscopic examination and imaging, sections were cut from the cultured ganglia as well as from some freshly taken normal ones and they were also stained to determine calcitonin gene related peptide immunoreactivity in the primary sensory neurons. The results demonstrated that besides the positive effect of nerve growth factor on the expression of this peptide in outgrowing axons, leukemia inhibitory factor also supported the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide in the primary sensory neurons of adult mouse lumbar dorsal root ganglia and in their outgrowing axons in vitro. When the time course of changes in calcitonin gene related peptide expression in dorsal root ganglia and the up-regulation of leukemia inhibitory factor at the site of a peripheral nerve injury in vivo are considered together, this novel finding may lead to new explanations for the changes in neuropeptide expression following axotomy.

Ultrastructural analysis of climbing fiber-Purkinje cell synaptogenesis in the rat cerebellum

Previous reports have described the transient expression of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide and neuropeptide Y in selected subsets of rat olivocerebellar compartments during embryonic and postnatal development. Using these neuropeptides as endogenous markers for olivocerebellar fibers, the aim of this electron microscopic analysis was to reveal the synaptogenetic processes occurring between climbing fibers and their target Purkinje cells, from embryonic day 19 to postnatal day 16, the period during which Purkinje cells undergo intense emission and retraction of dendrites, and climbing fibers translocate their synapses along Purkinje cell membrane surfaces. The present findings provide the first direct evidence that climbing fiber synaptogenesis starts on embryonic day 19 and that these first synapses mainly involve the Purkinje cell embryonic dendrite rather than the Purkinje cell soma. At the same age, the presence of unlabeled synapses resembling calcitonin gene-related peptide-labeled synapses in the Purkinje cell plate makes it possible to conclude that climbing fibers form a major synaptic investment on embryonic Purkinje cells, a finding that strongly supports the hypothesis of an early differentiating role of climbing fibers on cerebellar development. Furthermore, during the period of intense dendritic remodeling of Purkinje cells, 'myelin figures' were often detected in Purkinje cell dendrites suggesting that they may at least in part represent real ultrastructural markers of membrane turnover that identifies the sites where Purkinje cell dendritic rearrangement is taking place. Finally the finding that the climbing fiber terminals apposed to degenerating dendrites did not generally show signs of degeneration leads us to suggests that climbing fiber translocation from a perisomatic to a dendritic location may be driven by the Purkinje cell dendritic remodeling.

Can galanin also be considered as growth-associated protein 3.2?

A recent study has shown that mice containing a loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding galanin exhibit decreased peripheral nerve regeneration after a lesion. This major advance indicates, for the first time, that the large increases in galanin expression that occur in axotomized peripheral neurons have functional consequences for regeneration. Hopefully, similar functional consequences will soon be found for other peptides induced in these neurons after axotomy, such as vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide.

The effect of conduction block on the spinal release of immunoreactive-neuropeptide Y (ir-NPY) in the neuropathic rat

Peripheral nerve injury may result in significant changes in neuropeptide production and the development of neuropathic pain behaviour. Rats with a chronic constriction injury of one sciatic nerve were used to study the spinal release of immunoreactive neuropeptide Y (ir-NPY), using the antibody-coated microprobe technique. Previous work has shown an increase in NPY synthesis by large to medium-sized primary afferent neurones, as well as a new area of ir-NPY release in the deep dorsal horn on the side of nerve injury, when compared to uninjured rats. The stimulus for spontaneous ir-NPY release was unclear, but may have been due to ectopic neuronal discharges developing after nerve injury. This study used local anaesthetic to block all electrical input from the injured nerve. No change was found in the new zone of spontaneous release of ir-NPY in the deep dorsal horn ipsilateral to nerve injury. It appears therefore, that ir-NPY is released from the central termination of primary afferent neurones, without regulation from neuronal activity in the primary afferent neurones themselves.

Capsaicin-evoked release of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide from rat trigeminal ganglion: evidence for intraganglionic neurotransmission

Chemically-mediated cross-excitation has been described between neurons within sensory ganglia. However, the identity and source of the chemical mediators is not known. Ca(2+)-dependent release of neurotransmitters from cultured sensory neurons in vitro has been observed, although neurite outgrowth may confound the ability to extrapolate findings from culture systems to in vivo conditions. Thus, the present studies evaluate the hypothesis of capsaicin-sensitive intraganglionic neuropeptide release from freshly prepared slices of rat sensory ganglia. The ganglionic slice preparation provides an advantage over neuronal cultures, because release may be assessed within minutes after tissue collection (minimizing phenotypic changes) and while maintaining gross anatomical relationships. Trigeminal ganglia (TGG) were quickly removed from male, Sprague--Dawley rats (175--200 g), chopped into 200 microm slices and placed into chambers within 3 min of collection. Chambers were perfused with buffer, and superfusates were collected and assayed for immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (iCGRP) release via radioimmunoassay. After about 90 min of baseline collection, tissue was treated with capsaicin followed by a washout period. Capsaicin (1--100 microM) evoked concentration-dependent increases in iCGRP release. A competitive capsaicin receptor antagonist, capsazepine, significantly inhibited capsaicin-evoked release of iCGRP. In addition, capsaicin-evoked release of iCGRP was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. Furthermore, capsaicin-evoked release from TGG slices was significantly greater than that from slices of equivalent weights of adjacent trigeminal nerve shown histologically to be free of neuronal somata. These data support the hypothesis that Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis of neuropeptides may occur within the TGG in vivo and that the majority of this release derives from neuronal somata.

Effects of amyloid peptides on cell viability and expression of neuropeptides in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons: a role for free radicals and protein kinase C

Chronic pain caused by nerve injury and inflammation is more common in the elderly. However, mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unclear. Higher sensitivity of sensory neurons to free radicals has been suggested as one possibility. The production of free radicals can be induced by various agents, including the highly toxic protein beta-amyloid (A beta), which is found in higher amounts in the brains of Alzheimer's Disease patients. In dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures exposed to A beta, we examined cellular toxicity and peptide expression, in particular calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a peptide which is abundantly expressed by nociceptive afferents and is known to be involved in pain processes. Exposure of cultured rat DRG neurons to A beta(25--35) or A beta(1--40) (10 or 20 microM for 24--96 h) increased trypan blue-stained cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, thus, indicating cellular toxicity. These treatments also increased the number of CGRP immunoreactive (IR) neurons while decreasing the number of neuropeptide Y- and galanin-IR neurons. The free radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase, attenuated both the toxicity and neuropeptide changes induced by A beta, thus, suggesting that oxidative stress probably contributes to these effects. Exposure of cultured DRG neurons to A beta also increased the number of protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha)-IR neurons. The PKC inhibitors, chelerythrine chloride and Gö6976, significantly augmented A beta-induced cellular toxicity while attenuating the increases in CGRP-and PKC alpha-IR cells, supporting the notion of a protective role for PKC in A beta insults. These in vitro data suggest that A beta peptides may, in addition to causing neurotoxicity, regulate neuropeptide expression in primary afferents. This finding could be relevant to the higher incidence of neuropathic pain that occurs with ageing.

Partial sciatic nerve ligation induced more dramatic increase of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive axonal fibers in the gracile nucleus of middle-aged rats than in young adult rats

Neuropeptide changes in primary sensory neurons caused by partial nerve injury are likely involved in the development of neuropathic pain. In this study, using immunocytochemistry, we examined neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression in lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of young adult (2-3 months old) and middle-aged (8-10 months old) rats 4 weeks after partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). Significantly higher NPY immunoreactivity was induced in the injured side DRG neurons, the dorsal horn and the gracile nuclei in middle-aged rats than in young rats. Using combined fluorescent dye tracing and NPY immunostaining, we found in middle-aged rats that 46% injured DRG neurons projected to the gracile nucleus and 45% of injured neurons were also NPY-IR, whereas 42% spared DRG neurons projected to the gracile nucleus and 18% of spared neurons were also NPY-IR. Thus PSNL induces NPY up-regulation in spared as well as injured DRG neurons, both contribute to the increased NPY immunoreactivity in the gracile nucleus in the middle-aged rats. The more dramatic increase of NPY in DRG neurons of middle-aged rats after PSNL shows that the responses to partial nerve injury are age-dependent, that suggests a possible relevance to the higher incidence of neuropathic pain in human middle age.

Neuropeptide Y actions and the distribution of Ca2+-dependent Cl- conductance in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases the excitability of 'small', nociceptive, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. This effect, which may contribute to the etiology of 'neuropathic' pain, has been attributed to attenuation of Ca2+-sensitive K+ conductance(s) (gK,Ca) following suppression of Ca2+ entry via N-type Ca2+ channels. A problem arises with this conclusion because rat DRG neurons normally contain high intracellular Cl- and some of them express a Ca2+-dependent Cl- conductance (gCl,Ca). In this study, we find that in rat DRG neurons increasing intracellular Cl- does not attenuate the effect of 1 microM NPY because gCl,Ca is not found in 'small' DRG cells and the peptide failed to affect the gCl,Ca found in 'large' cells. Thus, the presence of gCl,Ca in a subpopulation of 'large' DRG neurons does not alter the conclusion that excitatory effects of NPY result from attenuation of gK,Ca.

Ultrastructural localization of increased neuropeptide immunoreactivity in the axons and cells of the gracile nucleus following chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve

Neuropeptide plasticity in the gracile nucleus is thought to play a role in the development of neuropathic pain following nerve injury. Two weeks after chronic constriction injury of adult rat sciatic nerve, galanin, neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivities were increased in fibers and cells in the gracile nucleus ipsilateral to injury. At the electron microscopic level, this increased neuropeptide immunoreactivity was localized in myelinated axons, boutons, dendrites, neurons and glial cells. Galanin-, neuropeptide Y- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive boutons were frequently presynaptic to dendrites of both immunoreactive and non-immunoreactive neurons. However, no neuropeptide Y, galanin and calcitonin gene-related peptide messenger RNA was detected in the injured side gracile nuclei by in situ hybridization. These results show that partial nerve injury to the sciatic nerve induces increases in the content of galanin, neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivities in synaptic terminals within the gracile nucleus, which suggests that there may be increased release of these neuropeptides following sensory or spontaneous stimulation of large-diameter primary afferents following partial nerve injury, perhaps one mechanism involved in neuropathic pain. We also show an apparent transfer of these neuropeptides to the cells of the gracile nucleus, both neurons and glial cells, an intriguing phenomenon of unknown functional significance.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and islet amyloid polypeptide in primary sensory neurons: functional implications from plasticity in expression on nerve injury and inflammation

Primary sensory neurons serve a dual role as afferent neurons, conveying sensory information from the periphery to the central nervous system, and as efferent effectors mediating, e.g., neurogenic inflammation. Neuropeptides are crucial for both these mechanisms in primary sensory neurons. In afferent functions, they act as messengers and modulators in addition to a principal transmitter; by release from peripheral terminals, they induce an efferent response, "neurogenic inflammation," which comprises vasodilatation, plasma extravasation, and recruitment of immune cells. In this article, we introduce two novel members of the sensory neuropeptide family: pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Whereas PACAP, a vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-resembling peptide, predominantly occurs in neuronal elements, IAPP, which is structurally related to calcitonin gene-related peptide, is most widely known as a pancreatic beta-cell peptide; as such, it has been recognized as a constituent of amyloid deposits in type 2 diabetes. In primary sensory neurons, under normal conditions, both peptides are predominantly expressed in small-sized nerve cell bodies, suggesting a role in nociception. On axotomy, the expression of PACAP is rapidly induced, whereas that of IAPP is reduced. Such a regulation of PACAP suggests that it serves a protective role during nerve injury, but that of IAPP may indicate that it is an excitatory messenger under normal conditions. In contrast, in localized adjuvant-induced inflammation, expression of both peptides is rapidly induced. For IAPP, studies in IAPP-deficient mice support the notion that IAPP is a pronociceptive peptide, because these mutant mice display a reduced nociceptive response when challenged with formalin.

Regulation of expression of galanin and galanin receptors in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord after axotomy and inflammation

Galanin can normally be detected only in a few dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but it is dramatically upregulated after peripheral nerve injury in both rat and monkey. Galanin is stored in large dense core vesicles, which after axotomy are often found close to the membrane of afferent nerve endings in the dorsal horn. In the monkey there is an increase in galanin in many nerve terminals in the superficial dorsal horn after axotomy, but such an increase is more difficult to detect in the rat. Galanin is also present in local dorsal horn neurons, where it is upregulated by peripheral inflammation. Both galanin-R1 and galanin-R2 receptor mRNAs are expressed in rat DRGs, mainly in, respectively, large and small DRG neurons. Galanin-R1 receptor mRNA is downregulated in DRG neurons after axotomy, and a small decrease in galanin-R2 receptor mRNA levels can also be seen. After peripheral tissue inflammation galanin-R1 receptor mRNA levels decrease and galanin-R2 receptor mRNA levels increase. The present results show that galanin and galanin receptors are present in sensory and local dorsal horn neurons and are regulated by nerve injury and inflammation. Galanin may therefore be involved in processing of pain information, primarily exerting analgesic effects. Whereas local dorsal horn neurons represent a defense system against inflammatory pain, we have proposed that a second defense system, against neuropathic pain, is intrinsic to DRG neurons.

Galanin induced in sympathetic neurons after axotomy is anterogradely transported toward regenerating nerve endings

Peripheral neurons begin to express galanin after axotomy. When neurons in the superior cervical ganglion were axotomized near (about 2 mm) from the ganglion, galanin-like immunoreactivity (IR) was maximal within 72 h. Axotomy of neurons in the middle and inferior cervical ganglion complex (MICG), which could be performed 2 cm from the ganglia, led to an additional galanin increase 7 and 14 days later. This second increase was not accompanied by changes in galanin mRNA or the number of galanin-immunostained neurons. Galanin-IR was detectable in a postganglionic trunk of the MICG 2 days after axotomy. At this time, immunoreactive fibers were only seen near the lesion site, while later they were found throughout the trunk. The data suggest that galanin is actively transported toward the site of nerve crush/transection and that the second increase in galanin-IR found in the MICG may be due to a saturation of the axonal transport system.

Changes in neuropeptide immunoreactivity in cultured adult mouse sensory neurons following methylmercury chloride treatments

Changes in the neuropeptide expression of sensory neurons, related to functional modulation, have been widely reported both following physical injury in vivo, and after toxic insult in vitro and in vivo. The current immunocytochemical study aimed to monitor the neuropeptide status of neuronal cultures prepared from adult mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and to ascertain whether changes occurred following treatments with 0.1-1 microM methylmercury (MeHg). Proportions of both substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) containing neurons increased significantly, and were maintained throughout the 24 h exposure period. In contrast the numbers of somatostatin (SOM)-ir neurons decreased. Substance P- and CGRP-ir neuron increases may be related to nociceptive responses, whereas the decreases in SOM containing neurons could reflect a differential loss in this subset of sensory neurons.

Localization and regulation of the delta-opioid receptor in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord of the rat and monkey: evidence for association with the membrane of large dense-core vesicles

Using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, the localization and regulation of delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity were studied in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord of normal rat and monkey, and after peripheral axotomy. Delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity was observed in many small dorsal root ganglion neurons, and in the rat most of them contained substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. At the ultrastructural level, delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity was localized in the Golgi complex, on the membrane of the large dense-core vesicles and on the membrane of and/or inside a type of large vesicle with an interior of low electron density. The latter vesicles were often in contact with multivesicular bodies. In the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, most delta-opioid receptor-positive nerve fibers contain substance P and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide, both in rat and monkey. Also, in these nerve endings delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity was found on the membrane of large dense-core vesicles and on the membrane of, or in, the lucent vesicles. Occasionally, delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity was observed on the plasmalemma of the terminals, particularly when the vesicles were in exocytotic contact with the plasmalemma. Peripheral axotomy induced a decrease in delta-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity both in cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia and in terminals in the dorsal horn. These data suggest that the delta-opioid receptor may be a constituent of the membrane of large dense-core vesicles storing and releasing neuropeptides. It is suggested that upon exocytotic release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from large dense-core vesicles, there is a transient modification of the surface of the primary afferent terminals which leads to exposure of the receptor protein so that enkephalin released from adjacent terminals can activate the receptor. The decrease in delta-opioid receptors after axotomy indicates that delta-opioid receptor-mediated inhibitory effects are attenuated at the spinal level both in the rat and monkey.

Characterization of the cholinergic neuronal differentiation of the human neuroblastoma cell line LA-N-5 after treatment with retinoic acid

Analysis of the molecular factors that control cellular differentiation in mammalian embryos is difficult due to the small amount of material available from embryos and their inaccessibility during gestation. One way to circumvent these limitations is to use model systems that allow the study of differentiation in vitro. In this study we have characterized the response of a human neuroblastoma cell line, LA-N-5, to the differentiation-inducing agent, all-trans retinoic acid (RA) using 23 markers that are characteristic of neural crest cells and some of their derivatives. Following induction with RA, the neural crest-like LA-N-5 cells undergo differentiation into cholinergic neurons with increased expression of a variety of neural-specific markers including neurofilaments, growth associated protein-43, tetanus toxin binding sites, receptors for neurotrophic factors, neuropeptides, choline acetyl transferase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and acetylcholinesterase with a concomitant decrease in the expression of non-neuronal markers. These results provide the basis for the use of retinoic acid-induced differentiation of LA-N-5 cells as a model system to study molecular events associated with the differentiation of cholinergic neurons.

Islet amyloid polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide expression are down-regulated in dorsal root ganglia upon sciatic nerve transection

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is structurally related to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and has been implicated in glucose homeostasis and diabetes pathogenesis because it is expressed in insulin cells and forms amyloid in pancreatic islets from type II diabetic patients. IAPP is also constitutively co-expressed with CGRP in rat sensory neurons. Whether expression of IAPP is altered by nerve injury with or without regeneration was investigated in adult rats subjected to unilateral sciatic axotomy; IAPP and CGRP expression were determined by quantitative in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry at days 3, 10 and 30 after axotomy. In ipsilateral L4-L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the percentages of nerve cell profiles labelled for IAPP and CGRP mRNA were reduced at all time points studied. IAPP and CGRP mRNA expression were lower in nerve cell profiles in ipsilateral DRGs compared to the contralateral side after axotomy alone whereas epineurial nerve suture maintained or restored IAPP and CGRP expression. The numbers of IAPP- and CGRP-immunoreactive DRG nerve cell profiles and dorsal horn fibers were reduced on the ipsilateral side at all time points. Thus, IAPP and CGRP expression are down-regulated upon axotomy. Nerve repair maintains or restores IAPP and CGRP expression in individual neurons but does not prevent the loss of CGRP/IAPP phenotype of some of these neurons in response to axotomy.