PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

J H Kennis

Publications and source records attributed to J H Kennis.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunocytochemical localization of GDNF in primary afferents of the lumbar dorsal horn.

Immunocytochemistry was used to identify glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rat spinal cord. Strong GDNF labeling was found in fibers and terminals in laminae I and II (outer) and to a lesser extent in the remaining laminae. A few spinal ganglion cells also contained GDNF. After dorsal root transection GDNF disappeared from the dorsal horn and after dorsal root ligation there was accumulation of GDNF only on the ganglion side of the ligation. These findings demonstrate anterograde transport of GDNF within primary afferent fibers, which constitute the only source of GDNF labeling in the dorsal horn. The strong presence of GDNF in the superficial dorsal horn may indicate that GDNF has a role in pain transmission in the adult rat spinal cord.

Animals

A differential and time-dependent decrease in AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunits in spinal motoneurons after sciatic nerve injury.

After sciatic transection a strong decrease in immunoreactivity occurred, starting at 2 days. After 6, 10, 14, and 20 days survival only 5% of the sciatic motoneurons were strongly labeled for GluR2/3 against 80% in the control situation. From Day 20, GluR2/3 labeling started to increase again, reaching near normal levels at Day 80 after sciatic transection. In contrast, after sciatic crush, the decrease in GluR2/3 labeling in motoneurons was less pronounced and returned to normal in 30 days. In all animals, the GluR1 and GluR4 labeling of motoneurons remained unchanged after sciatic transection or crush. It is concluded that sciatic nerve injury leads to a strong, time-dependent decrease in the expression of GluR2 and 3 subunits in the corresponding motoneurons. As a consequence, AMPA receptors with a different subunit composition may be assembled, leading to a change in the functional properties of these receptors. Moreover, if they lack the GluR2 subunit, they may become calcium permeable.

Animals