title: Requirement for nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors in vivo.
abstract: In adult animals, sensory neurons innervating the skin are phenotypically diverse. We have now investigated whether nerve growth factor (NGF) has a physiological role in the development of this diversity. We gave antisera against NGF to rats from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to adulthood (5 weeks). We found a virtually complete depletion of high threshold mechanoreceptors conducting in the A delta range (2-13 ms-1) in the sural nerve. This afferent type, normally present in large numbers, appeared to have been replaced by D-hair afferents, sensitive mechanoreceptors which normally are relatively rare. NGF deprivation had this effect only in early postnatal life; treatment from postnatal day 14 to adulthood had no effect. We conclude that the presence of NGF postnatally in skin is necessary for the proper phenotypic development of A delta cutaneous nociceptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mendell
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000254:growth & development*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors