title: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-like immunoreactivity in human trigeminal ganglion and nucleus.
abstract: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is shown by immunohistochemistry in human trigeminal sensory system from 22 weeks of gestation to adulthood. In the trigeminal ganglion, a distinct subpopulation of GDNF-positive neurones is observed, which amounts to about 15% at early pre-term and adult ages and peaks to around 30% at perinatal ages. Labelled neurones are mostly small- and medium-sized. Occasionally, Schwann and satellite cells are stained. GDNF/substance P (SP) and GDNF/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) double stained neurones occur at all ages examined, whereas GDNF/trkA coexistence can be observed in pre- and full-term newborns only. Centrally, GDNF-immunostained fibers and terminal-like structures are mainly restricted to the spinal trigeminal nucleus, where they are codistributed with SP and CGRP. In the subnucleus caudalis, positive neurones can also be observed both in the superficial laminae and in the magnocellular part, with higher frequency in adults. These results suggest that GDNF may play a functional role in human trigeminal primary sensory neurones throughout life and provide indication for its possible involvement in the regulation of pain-related neuronal circuits in human trigeminal sensory system.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Citomorfologia, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quartu
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachis
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ambu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Fiacco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000378:metabolism*; D014278:Trigeminal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C495039:GDNF protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins