title: Neurotrophin-like immunoreactivity in the human trigeminal ganglion.
abstract: The localization of the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) was demonstrated immunohistochemically in discrete neuronal subsets of the human trigeminal ganglion at ages ranging from 23 weeks of gestation to adulthood. Neurotrophin-containing subpopulations partially overlapped with each other and with those immunoreactive for the relevant trk receptor. Glial elements could also be immunostained, labelled satellite cells being particularly abundant in NT-3 stained sections. These results suggest that the neurotrophins are of functional significance for the human trigeminal primary sensory neurones throughout life. Their localization in the ganglion cellular components supports their function as target-derived trophic factors and as molecules effective in autocrine/paracrine interactions.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Citomorfologia, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quartu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geic
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Fiacco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D020812:Receptor, trkC; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D020812:Receptor, trkC; C073922:neurotrophin 4