title: Expression of NGF, BDNF and their receptors in subcutaneous adipose tissue of lactating cows.
abstract: Currently, there are no reports of neurotrophins in adipose tissue of cows. The distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and their high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors TrkA and TrkB, was investigated by immunohistochemical method in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of cow at mid-lactation. Results revealed the localization of NGF and BDNF along the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of adipocytes. Neurotrophin receptors TrkA and TrkB showed moderate and strong positive staining in adipocytes, respectively. The expression of NGF, BDNF, TRKB--but not of TRKA--was also confirmed at transcriptional level by RT-PCR analyses. Considering the involvement of BDNF on fat metabolism and of NGF on activation of the sympathetic response in human and rodents, these neurotrophins could be related to lipogenesis and lipolysis occurring during lactation in cows. The local production of these neurotrophins supports their potential paracrine function for the regulation of adipocyte activity and deserve further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze, 206, 33100 Udine, Italy. Electronic address: monica.colitti@uniud.it.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colitti
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences and Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana, United States.
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Loor
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze, 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stefanon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007774:Lactation; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: Adipose tissue; BDNF; Cow; Expression; NGF; Receptors