Rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture express vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) independently of nerve growth factor.
Expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied in regenerating adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture. VIP was not detected by radioimmunoassay in newly established cultures but increasing concentrations were observed between 2 and 4 days and VIP remained detectable for more than 2 weeks. Immunocytochemical staining revealed VIP-like immunoreactivity in virtually all neurons. Thus, VIP is expressed in regenerating DRG neurons in culture just as it is in vivo following axotomy. However, VIP concentrations in culture were the same whether nerve growth factor was present or not. Therefore, deprivation of retrogradely transported nerve growth factor is unlikely to explain VIP induction by axotomy in vivo.
Mulderry
P K
PK
Cell Biology Laboratory, Sandoz Institute for Medical Research, London, U.K.
Lindsay
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide