Characterization of trkB immunoreactive cells in the intermediolateral cell column of the rat spinal cord.
The objective of the present study was to characterize the trkB receptor immunoreactive (-ir) cells in the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the upper thoracic spinal cord. Small trkB-ir cells (area=56.1+/-4.4 microm(2)) observed in the IML showed characteristics of oligodendrocytes and were frequently observed in close apposition to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-ir cell bodies. Large trkB-ir cells (area=209.3+/-25.2 microm(2)) showed immunoreactivity for the neuronal marker NeuN, indicating their neuronal phenotype, as well as for ChAT, a marker for preganglionic neurons. TrkB and ChAT were co-localized in IML neurons primarily in cases that had received in vivo administration of nerve growth factor (NGF). These findings reveal two different cell types, oligodendrocytes and neurons, in the IML of the spinal cord that show trkB immunoreactivity, suggesting their regulation by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and/or neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). In addition, there is evidence that NGF may play a role in the regulation of trkB-ir preganglionic neurons in the IML.
Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Zoology, Miami University, 280 Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, United States.
Annemarie M
AM
McCartney
Vanessa L
VL
Abejuela
Lori G
LG
Isaacson
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D020813:Receptor, trkB; C073922:neurotrophin 4