Modulation of serotonin 5-HT3 receptor expression in injured adult rat spinal cord motoneurons.
The effects of sciatic nerve lesions on the expression of serotonin 5-HT3 receptor (5-HT3R) alpha subunit in motoneurons of the spinal cord was investigated by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry. Following sciatic nerve crush, a significant reduction in density of staining in motoneurons was observed in longitudinal sections of the ventral horn at 3 and 15 days on the lesioned side when compared to the contralateral side (p<0.01). At 30 days after crush, after completion of sciatic nerve regeneration and reinnervation of peripheral targets, intensity of staining had returned to normal. Conversely, after sciatic nerve cut, a lesion that does not allow for target reinnervation, highly significant reductions were observed at 3, 15, 30 and 45 days. These results suggest a role for functional contacts with muscular targets in the maintenance of 5-HT3R expression in spinal motoneurons.
Rende
M
M
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia School of Medicine, Perugia, Italy.
Morales
M
M
Brizi
E
E
Bruno
R
R
Bloom
F
F
Sanna
P P
PP
D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin