title: c-Kit expression in somatosensory nuclei of lower medulla oblongata.
abstract: Protein kinase signal-transduction pathways play critical roles in regulating nociception. The c-kit receptor contributes to pain regulation in the spinal cord and is present on both peripheral and central terminals. Expression of c-kit was demonstrated in human trigeminal and spinal ganglia. However, the brainstem expression of c-kit was overlooked. We aimed to evaluate it by immunohistochemistry, on eight samples of human lower medulla oblongata. We used two clones of CD117/c-kit antibodies, from different manufacturers, and neurofilament antibodies. Positive expression of CD117/c-kit was found within the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the gracilis, cuneate, and lateral cuneate nuclei, and within the olivary complex. CD117/c-kit positive interstitial networks of these nuclei were positively labeled with neurofilaments. CD117/c-kit labeled the olivary neurons, but not the magnocellular neurons of the trigeminal, gracilis and cuneate nuclei. c-kit interstitial systems of brainstem could play so an important role for the functional status along the somatosensory neural circuits.
authors: Discipline of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; anatomon@gmail.com.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Pop
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Mărdărescu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lazăr
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Rusu
authors: Daniela Adriana
authors: DA
authors: Ion
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit