title: A sensory neuron subpopulation with unique sequential survival dependence on nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor during development.
abstract: We characterized a subpopulation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons that were previously identified as preferential targets of enkephalins. This group, termed P-neurons after their "pear" shape, sequentially required nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for survival in vitro during different developmental stages. Embryonic P-neurons required NGF, but not bFGF. NGF continued to promote their survival, although less potently, up to postnatal day 2 (P2). Conversely, at P5, they needed bFGF but not NGF, with either factor having similar effects at P2. This trophic switch was unique to that DRG neuronal group. In addition, neither neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) nor brain-derived neurotrophic factor influenced their survival during embryonic and postnatal stages, respectively. The expression of NGF (Trk-A) and bFGF (flg) receptors paralleled the switch in trophic requirement. No single P-neuron appeared to coexpress both Trk-A and flg. In contrast, all of them coexpressed flg and substance P, providing a specific marker of these cells. Immunosuppression of bFGF in newborn animals greatly reduced their number, suggesting that the factor was required in vivo. bFGF was present in the DRG and spinal cord, as well as in skeletal muscle, the peripheral projection site of P-neurons, as revealed by tracer DiIC(18)3. The lack of requirement of NT-3 for survival and immunoreactivity for the neurofilament of 200 kDa distinguished them from muscle proprioceptors, suggesting that they are likely to be unmyelinated muscle fibers. Collectively, their properties indicate that P-neurons constitute a distinct subpopulation of sensory neurons for which the function may be modulated by enkephalins.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, INIMEC-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, (5000) Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fábrega
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Mascó
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: López
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D013373:Substance P; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA