title: Effects of Hindlimb Unweighting on MBP and GDNF Expression and Morphology in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons.
abstract: With the development of technology and space exploration, studies on long-duration space flights have shown that microgravity induces damage to multiple organs, including the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, very little is known about the effects of long-term microgravity on DRG neurons. This study investigated the effects of microgravity on lumbar 5 (L5) DRG neurons in rats using the hindlimb unweighting (HU) model. Male (M) and female (F) Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into M- and F-control (CON) groups and M- and F-HU groups, respectively (n = 10). At the end of HU treatment for 4 weeks, morphological changes were detected. Myelin basic protein (MBP) and degenerated myelin basic protein (dgen-MBP) expressions were analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blot assays. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein and mRNA expressions were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Compared with the corresponding CON groups, the HU groups exhibited slightly loose junctions between DRG neurons, some separated ganglion cells and satellite cells, and lightly stained Nissl bodies that were of smaller size and had a scattered distribution. High levels of dgen-MBP and low MBP expressions were appeared and GDNF expressions were significantly decreased in both HU groups. Changes were more pronounced in the F-HU group than in the M-HU group. In conclusion, HU treatment induced damage of L5 DRG neurons, which was correlated with decreased total MBP protein expression, increased dgen-MBP expression, and reduced GDNF protein and mRNA expression. Importantly, these changes were more severe in F-HU rats compared with M-HU rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
authors.forename: Ning-Tao
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Sandai Pharmaceutical R&D Company, Ltd., Shanghai, 201203, China.
authors.forename: Fang-Qiang
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Zi-Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China. cuigeng@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Geng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048430:Cell Shape; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism*; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein
keywords: Dorsal root ganglia; Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; Hindlimb unweighting; Myelin basic protein; Neuron