QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, May 15, 2003, 23(10):4355-4361

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (21) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yoshimura, N. Articles by Groat, W. C. d. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Yoshimura, N. Articles by Groat, W. C. d.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Histological and Electrical Properties of Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Innervating the Lower Urinary Tract

Naoki Yoshimura,^1,2 Satoshi Seki,² Kristin A. Erickson,¹ Vickie L. Erickson,¹ Michael B. Chancellor,¹ and William C. de Groat²

Departments of ¹Urology and ²Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213

We investigated whether primary afferent neurons innervating different regions of the lower urinary tract have different histochemical and electrophysiological properties. Neurons in rat L6–S1 DRG were identified by axonal transport of a fluorescent dye. Neurofilament-negative C-fiber cells comprise 70% of bladder and proximal urethral afferent neurons that send axons through the pelvic nerves, but comprise a smaller proportion (51%) of distal urethral neurons that send axons through the pudendal nerves. Isolectin-B4 (IB4) binding was detected in a higher percentage (49%) of C-fiber neurons innervating the distal urethra than in those innervating the bladder or proximal urethra (18–22%). Neurofilament-positive A-fiber neurons innervating the distal urethra had a larger average somal size than neurons innervating the bladder or proximal urethra. In patch-clamp recordings, the majority (70%) of bladder and proximal urethral neurons were sensitive to capsaicin and exhibited TTX-resistant, high-threshold action potentials, whereas a smaller proportion (53%) of distal urethral neurons exhibited TTX-resistant spikes. T-type Ca²⁺ currents were observed in 47% of distal urethral neurons with TTX-sensitive spikes, but not in TTX-sensitive bladder or proximal urethral neurons. In summary, afferent neurons innervating bladder or proximal urethra differ from those innervating distal urethra. The latter, which more closely resemble cutaneous afferent neurons, consist of a smaller number of C-fiber neurons containing a higher percentage of IB4-positive cells and a more diverse population of A-fiber neurons, some of which exhibit T-type Ca²⁺ channels. These differences may be related to different functions of respective target organs in the lower urinary tract.

Key words: neurofilament; capsaicin; dorsal root ganglion; urinary bladder; urethra; sphincter; isolectin-B4; TTX; Ca²⁺ current

---

Received Dec. 4, 2002; revised Feb. 20, 2003; accepted Feb. 25, 2003.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Dang, K. Lamb, M. Cohen, K. Bielefeldt, and G. F. Gebhart Cyclophosphamide-Induced Bladder Inflammation Sensitizes and Enhances P2X Receptor Function in Rat Bladder Sensory Neurons J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2008; 99(1): 49 - 59. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Yoshimura, N. E. Bennett, Y. Hayashi, T. Ogawa, O. Nishizawa, M. B. Chancellor, W. C. de Groat, and S. Seki Bladder overactivity and hyperexcitability of bladder afferent neurons after intrathecal delivery of nerve growth factor in rats. J. Neurosci., October 18, 2006; 26(42): 10847 - 10855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-Z. Ruan, L. A. Birder, W. C. de Groat, C. Tai, J. Roppolo, C. A. Buffington, and G. Burnstock Localization of P2X and P2Y Receptors in Dorsal Root Ganglia of the Cat J. Histochem. Cytochem., October 1, 2005; 53(10): 1273 - 1282. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Dang, K. Bielefeldt, and G. F. Gebhart Differential Responses of Bladder Lumbosacral and Thoracolumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons to Purinergic Agonists, Protons, and Capsaicin J. Neurosci., April 13, 2005; 25(15): 3973 - 3984. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Seki, K. A. Erickson, M. Seki, O. Nishizawa, Y. Igawa, T. Ogawa, W. C. de Groat, M. B. Chancellor, and N. Yoshimura Elimination of rat spinal neurons expressing neurokinin 1 receptors reduces bladder overactivity and spinal c-fos expression induced by bladder irritation Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, March 1, 2005; 288(3): F466 - F473. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. Beyak, N. Ramji, K. M. Krol, M. D. Kawaja, and S. J. Vanner Two TTX-resistant Na+ currents in mouse colonic dorsal root ganglia neurons and their role in colitis-induced hyperexcitability Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, October 1, 2004; 287(4): G845 - G855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help