两种亨廷顿蛋白相关蛋白1异构体—HAP1A和HAP1B在大鼠脊髓灰质内的分布特征

目的明确2种亨廷顿蛋白相关蛋白1(huntingtin-associated protein 1,HAP1)异构体—HAP1A和HAP1B在大鼠脊髓灰质内的分布特征。方法提取重组表达的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)-HAP1AC末端融合蛋白和GST-HAP1BC末端融合蛋白,免疫兔和豚鼠制备分别抗HAP1A和HAP1B特异性多克隆抗体,并采用免疫印迹技术对其特异性和效价进行鉴定和检测;用免疫组织化学技术检测HAP1A和HAP1B在大鼠脊髓灰质内的分布和定位特征。结果成功制备了分别特异性识别HAP1A和HAP1B的高效价多克隆抗体,应用这些抗体进行的免疫组织化学ABC法检测显示,HAP1A与HAP1B在大鼠脊髓灰质内的分布区域相似,二者均在大鼠脊髓灰质RexedⅠ-Ⅹ层表达,在RexedⅠ、Ⅱ层表达最强,中央管周围灰质(RexedX层)其次,在RexedⅢ-Ⅵ层表达水平较低,在脊髓前角(RexedⅦ-Ⅸ层)只有极微弱的或无阳性表达。HAP1A免疫反应产物主要定位在Stigmoid小体,在神经元胞质和近端突起内只有极少的弥散反应产物;HAP1B免疫反应性较强,其免疫反应产物弥散、均匀分布在神经元核周质和近端突起内,也定位在Stigmoid小体上。免疫荧光双重标记显示,约有80%的Stigmoid小体既表达HAP1A也表达HAP1B,其余的Stigmoid小体仅表达HAP1A。结论 HAP1A和HAP1B蛋白在大鼠脊髓灰质内具有相同的区域分布模式,但在神经元内的定位具有明显区别,提示二者可能具有不同的功能。     

神经生长因子家族成员NGF、BDNF、NT-3和NT-4在猫L6脊髓的分布

采用免疫组织化学方法观察神经生长因子家庭成员NGF、BDNF、NT3和NT4在成年猫L6脊髓的分布.结果在L6脊髓灰质均可见四种生长因子的免疫阳性细胞,这些细胞主要是腹角及背角深部的大神经元及背角浅层的小神经元.灰质内亦内NGF、NT3及NT4阳性的胶质细胞,但数量多少不等.其中NT3者最多,其次是NGF,NT4者最少.此外,Ⅱ板层内还可见较多BDNF及少量NT-3阳性神经膨体.本文结果表明,在成年猫脊髓存在NGF、BDNF、NT3和NT4,但其分布有差异.     

神经生长因子家族成员NGF、BDNF、NT-3和NT-4在猫L6脊髓的分布

采用免疫组织化学方法观察神经生长因子家庭成员NGF,BDNF、NT3和NT4在成年猫L6脊髓的分布。结果;在L6脊髓灰质均可见四种生长因子的免疫阳性细胞,这些细胞主要是腹角及凝角深部的大神经元及背角浅层的小神经元,灰质内亦内NGF,NT3及NT4阳性的胶质细胞,但数量多少不等,其中NT3者最多,其次是NGF,NT4者最少,此外,Ⅱ板层内还可见较多BDNF及少量NT-3阳性神经膨体,本文结果表明,在成年猫脊髓存在NGF,BDNF、NT3和NT4,但其分布有差异。     

大鼠视网膜中HAP1的免疫组织化学定位及不同光照条件对HAP1表达的影响

目的探讨亨廷顿蛋白相关蛋白1(huntingtin associated protein 1, HAP1)是否存在于视网膜内及是否与视觉有关.方法对正常大鼠眼球壁用ABC法进行免疫组织化学染色,观察HAP1在视网膜中的定位;用半定量免疫印迹方法(Western blotting)检测不同光照条件对大鼠视网膜中HAP1表达的影响.结果 HAP1较广泛地分布在大鼠视网膜各层,但以内核层及外核层中免疫反应较强,阳性反应产物主要定位在节细胞层和内核层/外核层中部分细胞胞体内;其余各层中,HAP1免疫反应较弱,阳性产物呈弥散分布,未见明显的阳性胞体.在连续处于黑暗环境中72小时大鼠视网膜中,HAP1表达较常规光照动物明显减少,而连续光照72h大鼠视网膜内HAP1表达无明显变化.结论 HAP1在视网膜中的存在及不同光照条件对视网膜HAP1表达的影响表明,HAP1可能与视觉活动有关.     

甲醛炎性痛对大鼠脊髓HO-1表达的影响

目的:观察足底注射甲醛引起的外周组织炎性疼痛是否可诱导大鼠脊髓血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)表达发生改变以及变化的时程特征。方法:健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为7组(n=6):对照组(control组)、甲醛6 h组(F6 h组)、甲醛12 h(F12 h组)、甲醛1 d组(F1 d组)、甲醛2 d组(F2 d组)、甲醛3 d组(F3 d组)和甲醛7 d组(F7 d组)。采用足底注射甲醛溶液复制炎性痛模型,采用免疫组织化学方法检测左、右两侧脊髓后角以及中央管周围灰质HO-1蛋白的表达。结果:Control组大鼠HO-1免疫反应阳性细胞在脊髓后角及中央管周围灰质仅有少量分布,且这些细胞染色较浅。足底注射甲醛后6 h,L5节段双侧脊髓后角和中央管周围灰质HO-1免疫反应阳性细胞数目即有所增多,足底注射甲醛后12 h时,双侧脊髓后角和中央管周围灰质HO-1免疫反应阳性细胞数目进一步增多,阳性细胞染色明显加深,1 d时阳性细胞数目和染色深度均达到高峰,7 d时仍高于control组水平。各时间点双侧脊髓后角比较,阳性细胞数目和阳性细胞染色深度均无明显差异。结论:大鼠足底注射甲醛引起的炎性痛可诱导双侧脊髓后角和中央管周围灰质HO-1表达增多,以注射甲醛后1 d时增多最为明显。     

猫腰髓中GABA能神经元的分布及年龄相关变化

目的观察和比较GABA能神经元在青年猫和老年猫L6段脊髓的分布,探讨GABA能神经元在脊髓中分布的年龄相关变化及意义.方法免疫组织化学ABC法.结果青年猫与老年猫L6段脊髓灰质内,GABA能神经元及神经纤维分布广泛,各个Rexed板层均可见GABA-IR细胞,其中背侧灰质阳性最强,其次是腹侧灰质.标记的GABA能神经元胞体为卵圆形、三角形、多角形和星形,可分为大、中、小三种类型.经比较,老年组GABA能神经元的数量及免疫反应性均明显低于青年组.结论老年动物脊髓调节功能的减弱可能与GABA能神经元减少有少.     

cAMP反应元件结合蛋白介导磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶在神经病理性痛形成中的作用

采用行为学、免疫组织化学和Western blot方法,观察鞘内注射细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulate kinase,ERK)信号转导通路阻滞剂对慢性压迫性损伤(chronic constriction injury,CCI)大鼠痛行为及脊髓背角内磷酸化cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(phosphorylated cAMP response-element binding protein,pCREB)和Fos表达变化的影响,探讨ERK／CREB转导通路在神经病理性疼痛中的作用。结果表明,CCI可明显增加双侧脊髓背角pCREB、损伤侧脊髓背角浅层Fos阳性神经元表达,以CCI后3与5d时尤为显著。鞘内沣射促分裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase,MEK)阻滞剂U0126及ERK反义寡核苷酸在减轻大鼠痛行为的同时,能明显抑制双侧脊髓背角内pCREB的表达,同时,Fos阳性神经元的表达也明显减少。大鼠痛行为及脊髓背角pCREB和Fos的表达在时相上一致。上述结果提示pCREB参与pERK介导的神经病理性疼痛。     

猕猴颈髓的GABA能神经元分布

应用免疫组织化学方法观察猕猴颈髓的γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）能神经元的分布,观察结果：除第X层外,在脊髓RexedⅠ-Ⅸ层可见GABA样免疫反应的胞体和纤维,标记的GABA胞体为卵圆形,三角形和多角形,可分为大、中、小型,在Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅶ、Ⅸ层GABA阳性胞体较多,GABA阳性纤维以后角处最多,白质内也有GABA免疫反应阳性的胶质细胞和神经纤维。结果提示GABA能神经元不仅调节感觉信息的传导而且也调节运动信息的传导。     

NO参与介导吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓神经元敏感化

运用Fos免疫组织化学、NADPH－d组织化学、F/NADPH－d双标、鞘内注射和反义寡核苷酸技术,观察吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓神经元活动变化及NO在其中的作用,结果发现：非吗啡依赖大鼠急性应用纳洛酮和吗啡依赖大鼠脊髓水平Fos-LI和NADPH－d阳性神经元表达与对照组相比无明显变化,二者也无Fos／NADPH－d双标神经元表达;吗啡依赖纳洛酮催促戒断大鼠脊髓Fos-LI、NADPH－d阳性神经元、纤维和终末表达明显增加,且出现Fos／NADPH－d双标神经元表达。Fos-LI和Fos／NADPH－d双标神经元呈现双侧脊髓全层分布,NADPH－d阳性神经元、纤维和终末主要位于双侧脊髓背角浅层。鞘内注射NOS抑制剂L－NA和nNOS反义寡核苷酸均明显降低吗啡依赖大鼠纳洛酮催促戒断症状评分,减少吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓Fos-LI表达。上述结果提示：NO参与介导吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓神经元敏感化。     

PKC激动剂佛波醇酯诱导大鼠伤害性感受并促进脊髓NO产生

目的:观察PKC激动剂PMA诱导大鼠伤害性感受作用及对脊髓NOS表达和NO生成的影响.方法:采用行为学方法观察大鼠痛反应;热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈变化;采用NADPH-d组织化学法和硝酸还原酶法分别测定大鼠脊髓内NOS表达和NO含量.结果:鞘内注射PMA后,大鼠出现伤害性感受反应及痛阈降低,脊髓后角浅层和中央管周围灰质内NOS阳性细胞数目、阳性细胞胞体及突起的染色深度明显增加,脊髓NO含量亦明显增加.给予PKC选择性抑制剂CH预处理可阻断鞘内注射PMA诱导的上述改变.结论:脊髓神经元内PKC激活可诱导大鼠产生伤害性感受及热痛觉过敏,并可促进NO产生,其对NO产生的促进作用可能是其诱导痛觉过敏产生的机制之一.     

Distribution of dipeptidyl peptidase II (Dpp II) in rat spinal cord

The histochemical localization of dipeptidyl peptidase II (Dpp II; E.C. 3.4.14.2) activity was demonstrated at the light microscope level in the rat spinal cord. Prominent staining was observed in motoneurons of the ventral horn and in medium to large neurons in the deep laminae of the dorsal horn, the intermediate gray, and in lamina X surrounding the spinal canal. Within neurons, Dpp II was localized largely in cell perikarya and large primary dendrites with no staining observed in cell nuclei. Neurons in the superficial dorsal horn lack Dpp II enzyme activity. Nonneuronal elements which also stained prominently were pericytes associated with blood vessels and ependymal cells lining the lumen of the spinal canal. A few oligodendrocytes and astrocytes were also stained, but they represented a minor component of the total amount of Dpp II activity. Following ventral root injury, Dpp-II-containing motoneurons degenerate; some glial cells in the region of degenerating neurons become Dpp II positive. The localized distribution of Dpp II in spinal cord neurons suggests that this proteolytic enzyme may play a role in the metabolism of an unidentified neuropeptide.     

Immunocytochemical identification of axons containing coexistent serotonin and substance P in the cat lumbar spinal cord

Axons containing both serotonin-like (5-HT)-LI and substance P-like (SP)-LI immunoreactivity were identified in all laminae of the cat spinal cord at the level of the lumbar enlargement. Using an immunologically-specific, double immunofluorescence method, coexistent 5-HT-LI and SP-LI immunoreactivity could be visualized in the same tissue section with appropriate FITC and rhodamine fluorescent filter sets. The fewest number of coexistent axons were observed in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, while their number increased in the more ventral dorsal horn laminae. Numerous coexistent axons were observed in the area adjacent to the central canal. The greatest number of coexistent axons was found in the ventral horn, especially in the motoneuronal cell groups. This study demonstrates that axons containing coexistent 5-HT-LI and SP-LI immunoreactivity are found in all laminae of the cat lumbar spinal cord and are thus involved in both sensory and motor functions. Their more frequent occurrence in the ventral horn suggests a greater role for coexistent 5-HT and SP in motor function. Since axons containing coexistent 5-HT and SP, and those containing only 5-HT, likely originate from different populations of neurons, our observations provide evidence for a diverse origin of descending 5-HT afferents to the different spinal laminae.     

Differential localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphorase activity in the cat spinal cord

The distributions of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity (NOS-IR) and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity were compared in the cat spinal cord. NOS-IR in neurons around the central canal, in superficial laminae (I and II) of the dorsal horn, in the dorsal commissure, and in fibers in the superficial dorsal horn was observed at all levels of the spinal cord. In these regions, NOS-IR paralleled NADPH-d activity. The sympathetic autonomic nucleus in the rostral lumbar and thoracic segments exhibited prominent NOS-IR and NADPH-d activity, whereas the parasympathetic nucleus in the sacral segments did not exhibit NOS-IR or NADPH-d activity. Within the region of the sympathetic autonomic nucleus, fewer NOS-IR cells were identified compared with NADPH-d cells. The most prominent NADPH-d activity in the sacral segments occurred in fibers within and extending from Lissauer's tract in laminae I and V along the lateral edge of the dorsal horn to the region of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. These afferent projections did not exhibit NOS-IR; however, NOS-IR and NADPH-d activity were demonstrated in dorsal root ganglion cells (L7-S2). The results of this study demonstrate that NADPH-d activity is not always a specific histochemical marker for NO-containing neural structures.     

Fluorocitrate,an Inhibitor of Glial Metabolism,Inhibits the Up-Regulation of NOS Expression,Activity and NO Production in the Spinal Cord Induced by Formalin Test in Rats

Previous experiments have suggested that nitric oxide plays an important role in nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. In order to explore the involvement of glia in the NO-mediated nociceptive transmission, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of fluorocitrate (FC), an inhibitor of glial metabolism, on NOS expression and activity and NO production in the spinal cord during the process of peripheral inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia induced by formalin test in rats. Sixty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned into sham, formalin, formalin + normal saline (NS), and formalin + FC groups. The NOS expression, NOS activity and NO production was detected by NADPH-d histochemistry staining, NOS and NO assay kit, respectively. It was found that formalin test significantly up-regulated NOS expression and activity and NO production in the laminae I–II of the dorsal horn and the grey matter around the central canal in the lumbar spinal cord at 1 h after the formalin test. Selective inhibition of glia metabolism with intrathecal administration of FC (1 nmol) significantly inhibited the up-regulation in NOS expression and activity and NO production normally induced by the formalin test, which was represented with decreases in the number and density of the NADPH-d positive cells in the dorsal horn and grey matter around the central canal, and decrease in density of NADPH-d positive neuropil in the dorsal horn in formalin + FC group compared with formalin group. The results suggested that glia may be involved in the NO-mediated nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. X.-C. Sun, W.-N. Chen and S.-Q. Li contributed equally to this work.     

Widespread distribution of substance P-and somatostatin-immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the neonatal rat

The distribution of substance P (SP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactive elements in the spinal cord of the neonatal rat was examined. With few exceptions, the distribution of SP-immunoreactive elements is similar to that described for the adult. A major difference is the obvious presence of SP-immunoreactive fibers in all funiculi of neonatal cords. In addition, an obvious small bundle of longitudinal SP immunoreactive fibers is seen in the base of the dorsal horn at rostral cervical levels. Unlike that of the adult, the neonatal spinal cord shows a widespread distribution of SOM-immunoreactivity. SOM-immunoreactive fibers are present in all funiculi. SOM-immunoreactive perikarya of various shapes and sizes are widely dispersed throughout the gray matter. The cell density is increased in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, in a region ventral-lateral to the central canal and in the ventral horn. SOM-immunoreactive varicosities are present in moderate amounts in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn but are extremely sparse in other regions of the gray matter. A few SOM-immunoreactive fibers course longitudinally at the base of the dorsal horn at rostral levels of the cord. These fibers are found in the same region occupied by the longitudinal SP-immunoreactive fibers referred to above.     

A comparison of microdistributions of taurine and cysteine sulphinate decarboxylase activity with those of GABA and L-glutamate decarboxylase activity in rat spinal cord and thalamus

Abstract— Distribution profiles of taurine and activity of cysteine sulphinate decarboxylase (CSD), the enzyme catalysing the formations of hypotaurine from cysteine sulphinate and of taurine from cysteate respectively, in the rat spinal cord and thalamus were studied in comparison with those of GABA and activity of l -glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the rate limiting enzyme for GABA formation. In the spinal cord (L₂-L₃), it was found that taurine is fairly evenly distributed, whereas the activity of CSD is higher in the dorsal half of the spinal cord than in the ventral half. The highest CSD activity was found in the dorsal part of the dorsal horn. In the anterior part (A 5.4) of the thalamus, taurine and CSD activity were also distributed evenly and no areas having high taurine content and CSD activity were detected. In contrast with the even distributions of taurine and CSD activity, both GABA and GAD activity were distributed unevenly in the same CNS areas examined: The areas having high GABA content and GAD activity in the thalamus (A 5.4) coincided with the ventrolateral part of the ventral nucleus of thalamus (VM), entopeduncular nucleus (EP) and nucleus reuniens thalami (RE), whereas those in the spinal cord were found to be in the dorsal part of the dorsal horn and surrounding parts of the central canal, respectively. Considering a probable role of GABA in mammalian central nervous system (CNS) as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it seems unlikely that taurine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter at least in the rat spinal cord and thalamus.     

Growth factor receptors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The regional distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors in human spinal cords from controls and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients was studied by quantitative autoradiography. High-affinity nerve growth factor receptors were found to be distributed to a similar extent within the various segments of the human spinal cord and predominantly within the substantia gelatinosa of the dorsal horn, whereas no significant binding could be detected in the motor-neuron areas. A similar pattern of binding was obtained in the ALS spinal cords. Moreover, no reexpression of NGF receptors could be demonstrated in the motor-neuron areas of ALS spinal cords. When comparing¹²⁵I-IGF-1 binding in the different spinal levels of normal spinal cord, the same distribution pattern was found in which the binding was highest in the central canal > dorsal horn > ventral horn > white matter. In the ALS cases, although a general upregulation of IGF-1 receptors was observed throughout the spinal cord, significant increases were observed in the cervical and sacral segments compared to controls. The cartography of IGF-1 receptors in the normal spinal cord as well as the change of these receptors in diseased spinal cord may be of importance in future treatment strategies of ALS.     

The Effect of Long-Term Reduction of Aortic Blood Flow on Spinal Cord Gray Matter in the Rabbit. Histochemical Study of NADPH-Diaphorase

1. The aim of this work was to study the influence of reduced aortic blood flow on NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) staining in the gray matter of L4–S3 spinal cord segments.2. Surgery was performed on the abdominal aorta of the rabbit. Spinal cord ischemia was introduced by infrarenal aortic constriction to 30% from the normal blood flow. Animals were allowed to survive 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Neurological outcome was studied in relation to the duration of aortic occlusion. The NADPH-d histochemistry was used for the visualisation of spinal cord sections.3. The most affected area of the spinal cord was pericentral region, and slight changes were seen in the NADPH-d activities of both dorsal and ventral horns. One week after surgery, NADPH-d positive pericentral neurons were almost unchanged in their shape and intensity of staining, the only difference was seen in slightly increased staining of the background around the central canal. One month following surgery neurons exhibited shrinkage or were swollen, NADPH-d staining was less intensive in the pericentral zone and positively stained vessels were present.4. Three months of ischemia influenced the NADPH-d activity: (a) In the pericentral region were seen intensively NADPH-d stained neurons almost normal in shape of their bodies but with shortened processes or without them; (b) NADPH-d staining of neuropil was greatly enhanced mostly around the central canal and in the dorsal commissure; (c) Numerous vessels were present in the pericentral zone and in the location of the ventral horn.5. It can be concluded that the reduction of blood flow in the abdominal aorta makes most changes in the pericentral region of the rabbit spinal cord. Increased NADPH-d staining of neuropil and the presence of positively stained vessels reflect increased NADPH-d/NOS production in the spinal cord gray matter after long-term incomplete aortic occlusion.