Alteration of E-cadherin and alpha N-catenin immunoreactivity in the mouse spinal cord following peripheral axotomy.
We examined the effects of peripheral axotomy on the immunoreactivity of E-cadherin and cadherin-associated protein alpha N-catenin in the spinal cord. E-cadherin is known to be exclusively expressed in lamina II of Rexed in the spinal cord dorsal horn. This expression disappeared by day 7 after axotomy and reappeared following nerve ligature (partial axonal regeneration model) on day 63. In contrast, it remained undetectable following nerve clipping (complete degeneration model). Alpha N-catenin was diffusely stained in the gray matter, and the immunoreactivity was specifically intense in the central canal and superficial dorsal horn. The expression of alpha N-catenin in the superficial dorsal horn was similarly reduced by day 7 after axotomy, but recovered by day 63 after nerve ligature. In contrast, it remained at the reduced level after nerve clipping. The alteration of alpha N-catenin immunoreactivity showed a similar pattern consistent with that of E-cadherin. Administration of nerve growth factor (NGF) rescued the immunoreactivity of substance P, which is known to disappear after peripheral axotomy, but not influence that of both E-cadherin or alpha N-catenin. These results clearly showed that peripheral axotomy simultaneously alters the immunoreactivity of E-cadherin and alpha N-catenin in the spinal cord, suggesting a correlation in the expression of both E-cadherin and alpha N-catenin in vivo. E-cadherin-alpha N-catenin complex might be crucial for plasticity of the spinal cord dorsal horn after peripheral axotomy.
Seto
A
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hasegawa
M
M
Uchiyama
N
N
Yamashima
T
T
Yamashita
J
J
D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D051178:alpha Catenin
D015820:Cadherins; C495272:Ctnna1 protein, mouse; C486820:Ctnna2 protein, mouse; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051178:alpha Catenin; D013373:Substance P