title: Differential expression of mRNAs for neurotrophins and their receptors after axotomy of the sciatic nerve.
abstract: The neurotrophin family includes NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). Previous studies have demonstrated that expression of NGF and its low-affinity receptor is induced in nonneuronal cells of the distal segment of the transected sciatic nerve suggesting a role for NGF during axonal regeneration (Johnson, E. M., M. Taniuchi, and P. S. DeStefano. 1988. Trends Neurosci. 11:299-304). To assess the role of the other neurotrophins and the members of the family of Trk signaling neurotrophin receptors, we have here quantified the levels of mRNAs for BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4 as well as mRNAs for trkA, trkB, and trkC at different times after transection of the sciatic nerve in adult rats. A marked increase of BDNF and NT-4 mRNAs in the distal segment of the sciatic nerve was seen 2 wk after the lesion. The increase in BDNF mRNA was mediated by a selective activation of the BDNF exon IV promoter and adrenalectomy attenuated this increase by 50%. NT-3 mRNA, on the other hand, decreased shortly after the transection but returned to control levels 2 wk later. In Schwann cells ensheathing the sciatic nerve, only trkB mRNA encoding truncated TrkB receptors was detected with reduced levels in the distal part of the lesioned nerve. Similar results were seen using a probe that detects all forms of trkC mRNA. In the denervated gastrocnemius muscle, the level of BDNF mRNA increased, NT-3 mRNA did not change, while NT-4 mRNA decreased. In the spinal cord, only small changes were seen in the levels of neutrophin and trk mRNAs. These results show that expression of mRNAs for neurotrophins and their Trk receptors is differentially regulated after a peripheral nerve injury. Based on these results a model is presented for how the different neurotrophins could cooperate to promote regeneration of injured peripheral nerves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Chemistry, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frisén
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbany
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timmusk
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zachrisson
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Verge
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D020812:Receptor, trkC; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020812:Receptor, trkC; C073922:neurotrophin 4