title: N-cadherin plays a role in the synapse-like structures between mast cells and neurites.
abstract: Communication between nerves and mast cells is a prototypic demonstration of neuro-immune interaction. Numerous studies have shown that the stimulation of nerves (or addition of neurotransmitters) can evoke activation of mast cells, and that mast cell-derived mediators can influence neuronal activity. However, the molecules involved in the membrane-membrane contacts between nerves and mast cells are still unknown. Here, we used an in vitro co-culture approach comprising interaction between immune (bone marrow-derived mast cell, BMMC) and nerve cells (superior cervical ganglia, SCG). The experiments showed clearly that the nerve-mast cell communication was supported by synapse-like structure and that N-cadherin, not E-cadherin, played an essential role in the synapse-like structure. In addition, we found that the synapse-like structure was assisted by clustering of beta-catenin to N-cadherin.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Tadahide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furuno
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teshima
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005260:Female; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins