Neuronal intermediate filaments in rat dorsal root ganglia: differential distribution of peripherin and neurofilament protein immunoreactivity and effect of capsaicin

Brain Res. 1990 May 7;515(1-2):331-5. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(90)90618-l.

Abstract

Two major neuronal populations were revealed in rat dorsal root ganglia, immunoreactive for either peripherin, or neurofilament triplet proteins (adult L2 ganglia: 66.2% and 25.6%, mainly small and large diameter cells, respectively), together with a minor, double-immunostained population (L2: 8.1%, mainly intermediate-size neurons). After capsaicin treatment, a striking expansion in the latter population was seen (L2: 22.0%) together with a significant increase in size, restricted to the same population and the (remaining) peripherin-only immunoreactive neurons. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity was revealed in neurons of all 3 groups, in both normal and capsaicin-treated rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / metabolism
  • Capsaicin / pharmacology*
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects*
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / drug effects
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Intermediate Filaments / drug effects*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology
  • Neurons, Afferent / drug effects
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
  • Peripherins
  • Rats

Substances

  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Peripherins
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Capsaicin