Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 480.15 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Expression of GDNF receptor immunoreactivity by sensory neurons that supply the tooth pulp. |
| Authors: |
Yang, H.*1
; Bernanke, J. M.1
; Naftel, J. P.1
1Anat., Univ. of Mississippi Med. Ctr., Jackson, MS |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Sensory Systems - Pain -- Nociceptors |
| Session: |
480. Nociceptor Receptors: Opioids, Neurokinins Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 10, 2003 3:00 PM-4:00 PM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # E94 |
| Keywords: | IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, NERVE GROWTH FACTOR, TRIGEMINAL GANGLION, NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR |
The sensory innervation of the tooth pulp is considered to be chiefly or solely nociceptive although many pulpal afferents have cytochemical and morphological properties that are generally associated with low-threshold mechanoreceptors. Most of the trigeminal ganglion neurons that project to the tooth pulp have cytochemical features of the class of nociceptors that are NGF responsive (express TrkA and p75), but very few (about 2%) bind the plant lectin IB4, a widely used marker for non-peptidergic nociceptors that respond to the GDNF family of neurotrophic factors. There is, however, a report that GDNF is transported from tooth pulp to the trigeminal ganglion (Nosrat et al., 1997, SFN Abstract 875.17). In the present study, expression of GDNF receptors by pulpal afferents was tested by immunostaining for GFRalpha-1 in cell bodies of pulpal afferents identified by retrograde labeling. Fluoro-gold was applied to maxillary molars of young adult female Sprague-Dawly rats, and the animals were perfusion fixed with Streck fixative (Streck laboratories, Inc.). Sections of trigeminal ganglia were immunostained using goat anti-GFRalpha-1 (R&D Systems, Inc.). A subpopulation of trigeminal ganglion neurons (about 20%) immunostained for GFRalpha-1. In contrast, the majority of cells projecting to the tooth pulp expressed strong GFRalpha-1 immunoreactivity, and most of these cells also expressed TrkA immunoreactivity. This high degree of colocalization of NGF and GDNF receptors indicates additional unusual properties of pulpal sensory neurons.
Supported by NIH DE09137
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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