title: Gene expression pathways induced by axotomy and decentralization of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons.
abstract: To identify genes potentially involved in remodelling synaptic connections, we induced the temporary detachment of pre- and post-synaptic elements by axotomy or denervation of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. cDNA microarray analysis followed by stringent selection criteria allowed the identification of a panel of genes whose expression was modulated by axotomy at various time points after injury. Among these genes, 11 were validated by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on independently prepared samples after superior cervical ganglion neuron axotomy (1, 3 and 6 days) and compared with the effect of decentralization (8 h, 1 and 3 days). These genes code for extracellular matrix/space [apolipoprotein D (apoD), decorin, collagen alpha1 type I, collagen alpha1 type III] and intermediate filament (vimentin) proteins, for modulators of neurite outgrowth (thrombin receptor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, bone morphogenetic protein 4, annexin II and S-100-related protein, clone 42C) and for a nerve cell transcription factor (brain finger protein). Eight of these 11 genes showed significant and persistent modulations after both types of injury. Finally, protein levels of apoD were shown to increase in superior cervical ganglion after axotomy. Our results identify hitherto unrecorded genes responsive to axotomy and decentralization of superior cervical ganglion neurons, and probably involved in synapse formation, remodelling and elimination.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Università La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro, 5, 00185 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Signore
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Mauro
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perrone-Capano
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paggi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000166:cytology*; D013562:Sympathectomy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger