The Journal of comparative neurology
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It is functionally important to differentiate between primary afferent neurons with A-fibers, which are nociceptive or nonnociceptive, and C-fibers, which are mainly nociceptive. Neurochemical markers such as neurofilament 200 (NF200), substance P (SP), and isolectin B4 (IB4) have been useful to distinguish between A- and C-fiber neurons. However, the expression patterns of these markers change after peripheral nerve injury, so that it is not clear whether they still distinguish between fiber types in models of neuropathic pain. ⋯ After CCI, a group of C-fiber neurons emerged that expressed none of the tested markers. The size distribution of the markers was investigated in larger samples of unidentified dorsal root ganglion neurons and, together with the results from the identified neurons, provided only limited evidence for the expression of SP in Abeta-fiber neurons after CCI. The extent of up-regulation of NPY showed a strong inverse correlation with the degree of heat hyperalgesia.
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Comparative Study
Neurotrophic effects of GM1 ganglioside and electrical stimulation on cochlear spiral ganglion neurons in cats deafened as neonates.
Previous studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the cochlea by a cochlear implant promotes increased survival of spiral ganglion (SG) neurons in animals deafened early in life (Leake et al. [1999] J Comp Neurol 412:543-562). However, electrical stimulation only partially prevents SG degeneration after deafening and other neurotrophic agents that may be used along with an implant are of great interest. GM1 ganglioside is a glycosphingolipid that has been reported to be beneficial in treating stroke, spinal cord injuries, and Alzheimer's disease. ⋯ Electrical stimulation elicited a significant trophic effect in both the GM1 group and the no-GM1 group as compared to the contralateral, nonstimulated ears. The results also demonstrated a modest initial improvement in SG density with GM1 treatment, which was maintained by and additive with the trophic effect of subsequent electrical stimulation. However, in the deafened ears contralateral to the implant SG soma size was severely reduced several months after withdrawal of GM1 in the absence of electrical activation.
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The distribution patterns of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were studied in the olfactory bulb (OB) of three species of macaque. AChE was detected by a histochemical method and ChAT immunoreactivity by immunocytochemistry. Similar results were observed in all species analyzed. ⋯ However, a few AChE-positive cells were observed in the glomerular layer and in both external and internal plexiform layers. These neurons were presumably identified as periglomerular cells, superficial short-axon cells, and/or external tufted cells and deep short-axon cells. Contrary to other neurotransmitters and neuroactive substances, the distribution patterns of ChAT and AChE activities in the macaque monkey OB closely resembled the patterns described in macrosmatic mammals and showed laminar differences with the distribution pattern observed in humans.
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The hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel isoforms HCN1, HCN2, and HCN4 were localized by immunofluorescence in the rat retina. Double labeling with the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT1) was used to identify bipolar cell axon terminals in the inner retina. The HCN1 channel was localized to two cell types with differing intracellular distributions, insofar as staining was seen in the dendrites of a putative OFF-type cone bipolar cell and in the axon terminals of an ON-type bipolar that ramifies in stratum 3 (s3) of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). ⋯ The latter group, designated here as type 5b, exhibit diffuse axon terminals and can be distinguished from the narrowly stratifying type 5a cells. Double labeling showed that type 5b cone bipolar cells express both HCN1 and HCN4 as well as HCN2. Superposition of HCN channel labeling with VGLUT1 staining confirmed the presence of a cone bipolar cell whose terminals ramify in the same stratum of the IPL as type 5b cells but that do not express these HCN channels.
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Connexins in retinal horizontal cells (HC) function in the processing of visual information. For example, gap junction-forming connexins may contribute to the spatial integration of visual stimuli. Additionally, connexin hemichannels have been hypothesized to participate in the feedback pathway from HCs to cones. ⋯ Voltage-clamp experiments in cultured cells demonstrated that Cx55.5-containing hemichannels can open at physiological membrane potentials. These results offer the first in vivo demonstration of the HC-specific activities of the Cx52.6 and Cx55.5 promoters. Furthermore, these data provide the first proof at the protein level for retinal HC-specific connexins in the zebrafish.