Neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin receptor immunoreactivity in peptidergic enteric neurons.
In the rat small intestine, neurotrophin-3 immunoreactivity was identified in ganglion cells and in processes mostly innervating the mucosa and occasionally the muscle layer and vasculature. The vast majority of neurotrophin-3 immunoreactive neurons contained vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), but not substance P or related tachykinin (SP/TK). Neurotrophin receptors visualized by pan-trk immunoreactivity were found in numerous ganglion cells of both plexuses and in nerve processes in the intestinal wall. Pan-trk submucosal neurons contained VIP (36%) or SP/TK-IR (47%). Pan-trk myenteric neurons contained VIP-IR (57%) or SP/TK (27%). Our data suggest that neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin receptors may be involved in the maintenance of enteric neuronal circuits, transmission and phenotypic expression.
De Giorgio
R
R
Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Arakawa
J
J
Wetmore
C J
CJ
Sternini
C
C
D000818:Animals; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000737:chemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor