Cell and tissue research
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Cell and tissue research · May 2001
Comparative StudyEstrogen receptor-alpha and beta- immunoreactivity and mRNA in neurons of sensory and autonomic ganglia and spinal cord.
Estrogen receptor-alpha immunoreactivity and mRNAs are present in neurons in locales that innervate genital organs, e.g., parasympathetic pelvic autonomic ganglia, sensory dorsal root and nodose ganglia, and autonomic areas of the lumbosacral spinal cord. With the availability of probes for the beta-isoform of the estrogen receptor, we studied this receptor in autonomic, sensory, and spinal cord neurons and compared it with the distribution of the alpha-receptor. Estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta immunoreactivity were located in the nuclei of neurons, were in subpopulations of parasympathetic neurons in pelvic ganglia, and sensory neurons of dorsal root and nodose ganglia. ⋯ In situ hybridization revealed both estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta mRNA transcripts in sensory neurons of the dorsal root and nodose ganglia, parasympathetic neurons of pelvic ganglia, and spinal cord neurons in the dorsal horn, sacral parasympathetic nucleus, and dorsal intermediate gray of L6-S1 segments. These studies show that both estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta are synthesized by autonomic and sensory neurons in parts of the nervous system that have connections with the female reproductive system. Such neurons contain neurotransmitters that have important functions in the female reproductive organs; thus, it is likely that estrogen can influence the activity of such neurons and consequently, through them, the activities of the reproductive organs.
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Cell and tissue research · Dec 1999
Olfactory neuron-specific expression of NeuroD in mouse and human nasal mucosa.
Human olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) is situated within the olfactory cleft of the nasal cavity and has the characteristic property of continually regenerating neurons during the lifetime of the individual. This regenerative ability of OE provides a unique model for neuronal differentiation, but little is known about the structure and biology of human olfactory mucosa. Thus, to better understand neurogenesis in human OE, we studied the expression of olfactory marker protein (OMP), TrkB and NeuroD in human nasal biopsies and autopsy specimens and compared these data with those obtained from normal and regenerating mouse OE. ⋯ In contrast, NeuroD expression is more basally restricted in a region just above the globose basal cells. These characteristic expression patterns of OMP, TrkB and NeuroD were also observed in the regenerating mouse OE induced by axotomy. These results support a role of NeuroD and brain-derived neurotrophic actor (BDNF), the preferred ligand for TrkB, in the maintenance of the olfactory neuroepithelium in humans and mice.
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Cell and tissue research · Nov 1999
Nerve growth factor-induced stimulation of dorsal root ganglion/spinal cord co-grafts in oculo: enhanced survival and growth of CGRP-immunoreactive sensory neurons.
Intraocular co-grafts of rat fetal spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were used to examine the enhanced survival, growth, and differentiation of sensory neurons by nerve growth factor. E14 lumbar spinal segments were implanted into the anterior eye chamber of capsaicin-pretreated rats. Two weeks later, an E14 dorsal root ganglion was implanted beside the spinal cord graft. ⋯ The current report demonstrates that spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia can be co-grafted in oculo for long periods of time. Many dorsal root ganglion neurons survive and send peripheral processes into the iris and central processes into the spinal cord under the influence of exogenous nerve growth factor. The intraocular graft paradigm can be of use to further examine the role of neurotrophic factors in regulating or modulating dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord neurons.
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Cell and tissue research · Oct 1999
Calretinin-immunoreactive nerves in the uterus, pelvic autonomic ganglia, lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia and lumbosacral spinal cord.
Nerves containing the calcium-binding protein calretinin have been reported in several organs but not in female reproductive organs and associated ganglia. This study was undertaken to determine if nerves associated with the uterus contain calretinin and the source(s) of calretinin-synthesizing nerves in the rat (are they sensory, efferent, or both?). Calretinin-immunoreactive nerves were present in the uterine horns and cervix where they were associated with arteries, uterine smooth muscle, glands, and the epithelium. ⋯ Also, capsaicin treatment substantially reduced the calretinin-positive fibers in the uterus and pelvic ganglia, thus indicating the sensory nature of these fibers. The presence of calretinin immunoreactivity identifies a subset of nerves that are involved in innervation of the pelvic viscera and have origins from lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia and vagal nodose ganglia. Though the exact function of calretinin in these nerves is not currently known, calretinin is likely to play a role in calcium regulation and their function.
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Cell and tissue research · Jul 1999
Localization of leech excitatory peptide, a member of the GGNG peptides, in the central nervous system of a leech (Whitmania pigra) by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
We have recently isolated a myoactive peptide, called leech excitatory peptide, belonging to the GGNG peptide family from two species of leeches, Hirudo nipponia and Whitmania pigra. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were employed to localize leech excitatory peptide-like peptide(s) and its gene expression in the central nervous system of W. pigra. A pair of neuronal somata were stained by both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in the supraesophageal, subesophageal, and segmental ganglia. ⋯ Antiserum specificity was established by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using different leech excitatory peptide-related peptides. Leech excitatory peptide elicited muscular contraction of isolated preparations of penis and intestine at concentrations of 10(-8 )M. These results suggest that leech excitatory peptide is a neuropeptide modulating neuromuscular transmission in multiple systems, including regulation of reproductive behavior.