Stimulation by nerve growth factor of neuropeptide synthesis in the adult rat in vivo: bilateral response to unilateral intraplantar injections

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 1996-01, Vol.203 (3), p.171-174
• Main Authors: Amann, R., Sirinathsinghji, D.J.S., Donnerer, J., Liebmann, I., Schuligoi, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Dorsal root ganglion; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Ganglia, Spinal - metabolism; In Situ Hybridization; In situ hybridization histochemistry; Male; Nerve growth factor; Nerve Growth Factors - pharmacology; Neuropeptides; Neuropeptides - biosynthesis; Rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Sciatic Nerve - metabolism; Tachykinins - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)12287-7

Unilateral intraplantar injections (1/day for 3 days) of 4 μg nerve growth factor (NGF) into the rat hindpaw increased the expression of prepro-tachykinin (PPT)- and prepro-calcitonin gene-related peptide (ppCGRP)-mRNA in bilateral L 5 dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). This was accompanied by an increase of CGRP-like immunoreactivity in the ipsi- and contralateral sciatic nerve but by no detectable change of CGRP-IR in other afferents. NGF injections into the skin of one ear or into the plantar side of one forepaw increased CGRP-IR in the respective afferents (trigeminal ganglion, or nerves arising from the brachial plexus, respectively), but had no effect on sciatic CGRP-IR. This suggests that the NGF-induced symmetrical increase of CGRP synthesis in L 5 DRGs was not caused by systemic action of NGF, which, therefore, may be a useful tool to further investigate mechanisms which are responsible for contralateral effects of unilateral inflammation.