Regulation and immunhistochemical localization of nitric oxide synthases and soluble guanylyl cyclase in mouse spinal cord following nociceptive stimulation.
The localization and regulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) were assessed in the spinal cord of mice stimulated by an intraplantar injection of zymosan. Both, nNOS and iNOS were upregulated in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord in response to the zymosan challenge. While nNOS was found in neurons of superficial laminae iNOS occurred in astrocytes. Thus, astrocytes might be involved in the processing of nociceptive stimuli. Expression of sGC was not affected by zymosan treatment. It was found exclusively in nerve fibers suggesting that it was predominantly localized to the presynaptic neuron. This supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) acts as retrograde messenger in spinal nociceptive processing.
Maihöfner
C
C
Institut für Experimentelle Pharmakologie and Toxikologie, Universität Erlangen, Universitätsstrasse 22, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
Euchenhofer
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C
Tegeder
I
I
Beck
K F
KF
Pfeilschifter
J
J
Geisslinger
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012995:Solubility; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D015054:Zymosan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D015054:Zymosan; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496321:Nos1 protein, mouse; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase