title: NGF receptor (p75)-immunoreactivity within hypoglossal motor neurons following axotomy in monkeys.
abstract: The expression of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) was examined in Rhesus and Cebus monkeys following complete unilateral transections of the hypoglossal nerve. In unoperated and sham-lesioned monkeys, NGF receptor-immunoreactivity was always undetectable within hypoglossal motor neurons. In contrast, monkeys receiving unilateral transections of the hypoglossal nerve displayed numerous NGFR-immunoreactive neurons within ipsilateral hypoglossal motor neurons 1 week post-lesion. The peak expression of NGFR-immunoreactive hypoglossal neurons was seen 4 weeks following the lesion and although fewer, these neurons were still observed in large numbers 10 weeks post-lesion. By 16 weeks post-lesion only a few NGFR-immunoreactive motor neurons were observed. A small number of NGF receptor-immunoreactive neurons were also seen within the contralateral hypoglossal nucleus at post-lesion weeks 4 and 10. These data demonstrate that adult hypoglossal motor neurons express detectable levels of p75 nerve growth factor receptor following hypoglossal nerve transection in monkeys in a manner similar to that previously reported in non-primate species. The synthesis of p75 NGF receptors in these neurons may represent a regeneration-mediated re-expression of NGF receptors which only normally occurs during development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences and Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 (USA).
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kordower
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bankiewicz
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mufson