title: Synaptic remodeling induced by axotomy of superior cervical ganglion neurons: Involvement of metalloproteinase-2.
abstract: We previously demonstrated the involvement of the dystrophin-dystroglycan (Dys-DG) complex in the stabilization of intraganglionic synapses in rodent superior cervical ganglion (SCG) by investigating changes in the organization of their post-synaptic apparatus induced either by ganglionic neuron axotomy or by the lack of Dys in genetically dystrophic mdx mice, or by the combination of the two. A role of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the degradation of DG and, hence, in disrupting the connection between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cortical cytoskeleton, has recently been proposed. We hypothesized that the degradation by MMPs of ECM proteins and DG in ganglionic neurons may be involved in injury-induced synaptic detachment observed in rodent SCG. In this review, we report changes in MMP-2 and in the proteins involved in one of the enzymatic cascades of activation induced by axotomy of rat SCG neurons. This will be preceded by a description of our previous observations that led to investigate the role of MMP-2 in this experimental model.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Università La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy. paola.paggi@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paggi
authors.forename: Maria Egle
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: De Stefano
authors.forename: Tamara Corinna
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Petrucci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D049030:Dystroglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000378:metabolism; D047468:Immunoprecipitation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000166:cytology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016189:Dystrophin; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; C509815:nicotinic receptor beta3, rat; D049030:Dystroglycans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9