title: Cellular localization of kinin B1 receptor in the spinal cord of streptozotocin-diabetic rats with a fluorescent [Nalpha-Bodipy]-des-Arg9-bradykinin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The kinin B1 receptor (B1R) is upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, bacterial endotoxins and hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress. In animal models of diabetes, it contributes to pain polyneuropathy. This study aims at defining the cellular localization of B1R in thoracic spinal cord of type 1 diabetic rats by confocal microscopy with the use of a fluorescent agonist, [Nalpha-Bodipy]-des-Arg9-BK (BdABK) and selective antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg, i.p.). Four days post-STZ treatment, B1R expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and autoradiography. The B1R selectivity of BdABK was determined by assessing its ability to displace B1R [125I]-HPP-desArg10-Hoe140 and B2R [125I]-HPP-Hoe 140 radioligands. The in vivo activity of BdABK was also evaluated on thermal hyperalgesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B1R was increased by 18-fold (mRNA) and 2.7-fold (binding sites) in the thoracic spinal cord of STZ-treated rats when compared to control. BdABK failed to displace the B2R radioligand but displaced the B1R radioligand (IC50 = 5.3 nM). In comparison, IC50 values of B1R selective antagonist R-715 and B1R agonist des-Arg9-BK were 4.3 nM and 19 nM, respectively. Intraperitoneal BdABK and des-Arg9-BK elicited dose-dependent thermal hyperalgesia in STZ-treated rats but not in control rats. The B1R fluorescent agonist was co-localized with immunomarkers of microglia, astrocytes and sensory C fibers in the spinal cord of STZ-treated rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The induction and up-regulation of B1R in glial and sensory cells of the spinal cord in STZ-diabetic rats reinforce the idea that kinin B1R is an important target for drug development in pain processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Succursale Downtown, Montréal, Québec, Canada. sebastien.talbot@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talbot
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Théberge-Turmel
authors.forename: Dalinda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liazoghli
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sénécal
authors.forename: Pierrette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaudreau
authors.forename: Réjean
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Couture