Inflammation-induced upregulation of NK1 receptor mRNA in dorsal horn neurones.
The expression of the neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor (i.e. substance P receptor) gene in spinal cord was studied in rats subjected to unilateral inflammation by semi-quantitative in situ hybridization analysis. Low levels of NK1 receptor mRNA were detected in many neurones throughout the grey matter. Relatively strong labelling was observed in large motoneurones and a subpopulation of superficial dorsal horn neurones. Six days after Freund's adjuvant-induced unilateral hindpaw inflammation, NK1 receptor mRNA levels in lamina I/II of the dorsal horn ipsilateral to the inflamed paw increased almost two fold compared with the contralateral side. These data suggest an inflammation-induced increase of NK1 receptor synthesis in intrinsic spinal cord neurones involved in nociceptive neurotransmission.
Schäfer
M K
MK
Dept. of Anatomy, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
Nohr
D
D
Krause
J E
JE
Weihe
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D006614:Hindlimb; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1