Primate nucleus basalis of Meynert p75NGFR-containing cholinergic neurons are protected from retrograde degeneration by the ganglioside GM1.
The effects of unilateral devascularizing lesions of the neocortex in primates (Cercopithecus aethiops) on the immunoreactivity of choline acetyltransferase and the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR) were investigated in cell bodies of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Choline acetyltransferase enzymatic activity was measured in the dissected ipsi- and contralateral nucleus basalis of Meynert as well as in the remaining cortex adjacent to the lesion. Cortically lesioned animals displayed a shrinkage of p75NGFR-immunoreactive cholinergic cell bodies in only the intermediate portion of the nucleus basalis of Meynert as well as a depletion of choline acetyltransferase activity in this cellular complex. In contrast, cortically lesioned monkeys treated with monosialoganglioside did not reveal a significant loss of choline acetyltransferase activity or shrinkage of nucleus basalis of Meynert cholinergic neurons, but rather a modest hypertrophy. These results are discussed in relation to a possible use of putative trophic agents in the repair of the damaged central nervous system.
Pioro
E P
EP
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Maysinger
D
D
Ervin
F R
FR
Desypris
G
G
Cuello
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013377:Substantia Innominata / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase