title: Expression of messenger molecules and receptors in rat and human sphenopalatine ganglion indicating therapeutic targets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Migraine and Cluster Headache (CH) are two primary headaches with severe disease burden. The disease expression and the mechanisms involved are poorly known. In some attacks of migraine and in most attacks of CH, there is a release of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) originating from parasympathetic cranial ganglia such as the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). Patients suffering from these diseases are often deprived of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to examine the localization of the botulinum toxin receptor element synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV-2A) and the vesicular docking protein synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) in human and rat SPG. Additionally the expression of the neurotransmitters pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP-38), nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), VIP and 5-hydroxttryptamine subtype receptors (5-HT1B,1D,1F) were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  SPG from adult male rats and from humans, the later removed at autopsy, were prepared for immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against neurotransmitters, 5-HT1B,1D,1F receptors, and botulinum toxin receptor elements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the selected neurotransmitters and 5-HT receptors were expressed in rat and human SPG. In addition, we found SV2-A and SNAP25 expression in both rat and human SPG. We report that all three 5-HT receptors studied occur in neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) of the SPG. 5-HT1B receptors were in addition found in the walls of intraganglionic blood vessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent focus on the SPG has emphasized the role of parasympathetic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of mainly CH. The development of next generation's drugs and treatment of cranial parasympathetic symptoms, mediated through the SPG, can be modulated by treatment with BoNT-A and 5-HT receptor agonists.
authors: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. anna.steinberg@karolinska.se.|Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. anna.steinberg@karolinska.se.
authors: Anna
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8820-2333
authors: A
authors: Steinberg
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Simona D
authors: SD
authors: Frederiksen
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Frank W
authors: FW
authors: Blixt
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.|Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Warfvinge
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.|Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Edvinsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
keywords: 5-HT receptor agonists; BoNT-A; Botox receptors; Parasympathetic signaling transmitters; Sphenopalatine ganglion