新生大鼠脊髓薄片交前神经元的长时程后超极电位

在新生大鼠胸段脊髓薄片,对经腹根逆行刺激鉴定的交感节前神经元（ＳＰＮｓ）进行细胞内记录,发现部分ＳＰＮｓ有长时程后超极电位（１１－ＡＨＰ）,其达峰时间０．２－０．７ｓ,时程１－１０Ｓ,幅度７－２０ｍＶ。１１－ＡＨＰ前部常为６－３０ｍｓ达峰、短于４００ｍｓ时程的快ＡＨＰ成分。１１－ＡＨＰ除伴有膜输入电阻降低外,还呈膜电位依赖性,翻转电位为－９０至－１００ｍＶ。结果证明１１－ＡＨＰ能起着控制ＳＰＮ的放     

新生大鼠脊髓薄片交感节前神经元的长时程后超极化电位

在新生大鼠胸腰段脊髓薄片,对经腹根逆行刺激鉴定的交感节前神经元（ＳＰＮｓ）进行细胞内记录．发现部分ＳＰＮｓ有长时程后超极化电位（１１－ＳＨＰ）,其达峰时间为０．２－０．７ｓ．时程１－１０ｓ,幅度７－２０ｍＶ。１１－ＡＨＰ前部常为６—３０ｍｓ达峰、短于４００ｍｓ时程的快ＡＨＰ成分。１１－ＡＨＰ除伴有膜输入电阻降低外,还呈膜电位依赖性,翻转电位为－９０至－１００ｍＶ。结果证明１１－ＡＨＰ能起着控制ＳＰＮ的放电频率的重要作用。     

P物质对大鼠DRG神经元胞体膜的作用

本文在大鼠ＤＲＧ神经元标本上应用细胞内记录,以确定ＳＰ对ＤＲＧ细胞的膜反应及其可能的离子机制。实验所测ＤＲＧ细胞静息膜电位为－５８．９±８．２ｍＶ（Ｘ±ＳＥ,ｎ＝８１）。传导速度：Ａ_（α／β）细胞为２０．４±４．８ｍ／ｓ（Ｘ±ＳＥ）,范围１４．１－２８．７ｍ／ｓ（４７／６０）;Ａδ及Ｃ类细胞为９．８±５．２ｍ／ｓ,范围１．２－１３．７ｍ／ｓ（１３／６０）。浴槽滴加ＳＰ（１０￣（－７）－３×１０￣（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）在大多数细胞可引起明显的膜去极化反应（５６／６０）。少数细胞对ＳＰ无反应（４／６０）。在ＳＰ去极化期间膜电导值有所增加,从平均值２．７２×１０￣（－８）ｍｈｏ增加２４．６％（ｎ＝３）。所测逆转电位值在＋４０－＋５０ｍＶ之间（ｎ＝３）。浊流平衡液（ＢＳＳ）中ＮａＣｌ以氯化胆碱置代,或用含ＴＴＸ（１０￣（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的ＢＳＳ灌流,可使ＳＰ－去极化幅值大大减小但不能完全消除。而高（２０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和低（０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）Ｃａ￣（２＋）的ＢＳＳ灌流时,使ＳＰ－去极化幅值相应的增加和降低。用含１０￣（－４）ｍｏｌ／ＬＣｄ￣（２＋）及１０￣（－２）ｍｏｌ／ＬＴＥＡ的ＢＳＳ灌流,均使ＳＰ－去极化明显减小。     

大鼠20α羟类固醇脱氢酶在大肠杆菌中的表达

利用谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶（Ｇｌｕｔａｔｈｉｏｎｅ　Ｓ－ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒａｓｅ,ＧＳＴ）融合基因表达系统,大鼠２０α羟类固醇脱氢酶（２０αＨｙｄｒｏｘｙｓｔｅｒｏｉｄＤｅｈｙｄｒｏｇｅｎａｓｅ,２０αＨＳＤ）在大肠杆菌中得以成功地表达。亲和层析和Ｔｈｒｏｍｂｉｎ消化,可从融合蛋白中回收和纯化重组２０αＨＳＤＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ、Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ印迹法和酶活性测定显示,重组２０αＨＳＤ具有天然蛋白质相同分子量、相似的抗原性和酶催化活性,其对ＮＡＤＰ的Ｋ＿ｍ值和Ｖ＿（ｍａｘ）分别为９．５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、３３４ｎｍｏ１／（ｍｉｎ·ｍｇ）,对底物２０α羟孕酮（２０αＨｙｄｒｏｘｙｐｒｏｇｅｓｔｅｒｏｎｅ,２０αＯＨＰ）的Ｋ＿ｍ值和Ｖ＿（ｍａｘ）分别为５．９μｍｏｌ／Ｌ和３４７ｎｍｏｌ／（ｍｉｎ·ｍｇ）,利用该表达系统大量制备大鼠重组２０αＨＳＤ,为深入研究２０αＨＳＤ的生理活性和功能创造条件。     

GST融合蛋白在杆状病毒系统中表达的可溶性研究

将构建好的可表达ＧＳＴ融合蛋白的重组病毒ＡｃＭＮＰＶ－ＯＣＣ＾－－ＧＳＴ－６ｘＨｉｓ－Ｅｔｐ２８感染Ｓｆ９细胞,一定时间后取感染了病毒的细胞裂解物上清液进行ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析,结果显示５３ｋＤａ的融合蛋白（ＧＳＴ－６ｘＨｉｓ－Ｅｔｐ２８）呈不溶状态。在原有裂解液的基础上,加固体十二烷基肌氨酸钠致终浓度１．５％,并将Ｔｒｉｔｏｎ Ｘ－１００的比例由１％提高到２％。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ结果显示至少有１／     

鼠Ⅰ型可溶性白细胞介素1受体基因在昆虫细胞的克隆和表达

白细胞介素１（ＩＬ－１）是一种重要的细胞因子,具有广泛的生物学活性。它通过与细胞表面的白细胞介素 １受体（ＩＬ－１Ｒ）结合而起作用。以杆状病毒为载体在昆虫细胞中克隆表达了小鼠Ｉ型可溶性白细胞介素１受体（ｓＩＬ－１　ＲＩ）基因。以ＮＩＨ／３Ｔ３细胞ＲＮＡ为模板,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增得到小鼠ｓＩＬ－ＩＲＩ的ｃＤＮＡ,克隆至杆状病毒转移载体ｐＡｃＧＰ６７Ｂ,将转移重组质粒与野生病毒ＡＣＮＰＶ ＤＮＡ共转染昆虫细胞Ｓｆ９,经同源重组得到重组杆状病毒ｒＡＣＮＰＶ。应用经纯化的ｒＡｃＮＰＶ感染昆虫细胞Ｓｆ９,表达获得重组的ｓＩＬ－１ＲＩ。经对亲和层析样品的ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析和对ＩＬ－１β生物活性阻断作用实验证实,表达产物能够与其配基结合,并且能够分泌至细胞培养上清中。     

稀土化合物氯化亚鈰对人肺癌细胞PG、人胃癌细胞BGC-823的作用

 以人肺癌细胞 Ｐ Ｇ 和人胃癌细胞 Ｂ Ｇ Ｃ ８２３ 作为研究对象,利用 Ｍ Ｔ Ｔ 测定、３ Ｈ Ｔｄ Ｒ 参入、流式细胞术、软琼脂培养、 Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ、 Ｗ ｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ 等实验方法,观察了稀土化合物氯化亚鈰（ Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３）抑癌作用．结果表明, Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３ 浓度为 ００５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ,０１ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ,０５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ和 １ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ可抑制 Ｐ Ｇ 细胞的增殖;浓度为 ０５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ和 １ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ可抑制 Ｐ Ｇ 细胞 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 的合成,其 Ｇ１ 期细胞比例增加而 Ｓ期细胞比例减少,在软琼脂中的生长能力降低,原癌基因 ｃ ｍ ｙｃ 和 ｃ ｒａｓ 表达降低,ｐ１６ 蛋白质表达降低．而同样浓度的 Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３ 对 Ｂ Ｇ Ｃ ８２３ 细胞和正常细胞 ２ Ｂ Ｓ未见影响．提示：稀土化合物抑制肺癌细胞 Ｐ Ｇ 的增殖以及降低其恶性度的作用机制可能与一些增殖相关的原癌基因的表达和细胞周期的调控有关,其确切的机理还需进一步的研究．     

免疫组织化学染色定量方法研究（Ⅲ）

本文对免疫组织化学染色反应的定量方法进行了研究,导出阳性单位（ＰＵ）测算新公式。根据测试区域Ａ的灰度级ＧＡ和面积（ｍ＋ｎ）及阳性反应产物α相的灰度级Ｇα和面积ｎ（或背景面积ｍ）即可求得ＰＵ。公式如下：ＰＵ＝１００×｜Ｇα－ＧＡ｜／（ＡＡβ·Ｇｍａｘ）＝１００×｜Ｇα－ＧＡ｜／［（１－ＡＡα）·ｍａｘ］。式中ＡＡα＝ｎ／（ｍ＋ｎ）,ＡＡβ＝ｍ／（ｍ＋ｎ）,Ｇｍａｘ为测试仪器的最大灰度分级。本法灰度测试无需考虑灰度设定方法,只需在同一灰度设定条件下测试即可。本法还可用于其它组织化学、细胞化学和原位分子杂交反应显色程度定量。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒S1基因在昆虫细胞中表达水平初探

将含有鸡传染性支气管炎病毒 Ｓ１ 基因ｃ Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 的重组转移质粒ｐ Ｓ Ｘ Ｉ Ｖ Ｖ Ｉ＋ Ｘ３ Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ 和ｐ Ｓ Ｘ Ｉ Ｖ Ｖ Ｉ＋ Ｘ３／４ Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ 分别与粉纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒 Ｔｎ Ｎ Ｐ Ｖ Ｓ Ｖ Ｉ－ Ｇ Ｄ Ｎ Ａ（ Ｏ Ｃ Ｃ－ ,ｇａｌ＋ ） 共转染草地夜蛾（ Ｓｆ９） 细胞,经空斑纯化得到重组病毒 Ｔｎ Ｎ Ｐ Ｖ（ Ｘ３） Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ Ｏ Ｃ Ｃ＋ 和 Ｔｎ Ｎ Ｐ Ｖ（ Ｘ３／４） Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ Ｏ Ｃ Ｃ＋ 。将重组毒株分别感染 Ｔｎ５ Ｂ１ 细胞,并进行 Ｓ Ｄ Ｓ Ｐ Ａ Ｇ Ｅ 与 Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ 检测。结果表明, Ｔｎ Ｎ Ｐ Ｖ（ Ｘ３／４） Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ Ｏ Ｃ Ｃ＋ 在感染的细胞中高效表达了 Ｓ１ 蛋白, Ｓ Ｄ Ｓ Ｐ Ａ Ｇ Ｅ 凝胶薄层色谱分析结果显示,感染病毒后７２ ｈ Ｓ１ 蛋白的表达量占细胞内总蛋白量的３５ ．８ ％ ,而 Ｔｎ Ｎ Ｐ Ｖ（ Ｘ３） Ｓ１ ． Ｈｏｌｔｅ Ｏ Ｃ Ｃ＋ 感染的细胞内检测不出 Ｓ１ 蛋白。经分析认为这一差异主要来自 Ｓ１ 基因翻译起始位点及其附近的周围环境。     

人主动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养的人血管壁细胞生长的作用

通过培养的人主动脉平滑肌细胞（ｈＡＳＭＣ）及脐静脉内皮细胞（ｈＵＶＥＣ）,应用３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ分析、逆转录多聚酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）、放射免疫分析（ＲＩＡ）、和紫外比色法等技术观察了人主动脉中硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（ＨＳＰＧ）对ｈＡＳＭＣ和ｈＵＶＥＣＤＮＡ合成的作用及对血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）、ＰＤＧＦ受体、转化生长因子β（ＴＧＦ－β）、内皮素－１（ＥＴ－１）或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）基因表达和肾素－血管紧张系统（ＲＡＳ）的影响,结果显示,ＨＳＰＧ明显抑制培养的ｈＡＳＭＣ基础的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：１０３８５±３２６３ｖｓ,２５５４１±６４２１,Ｐ＜０．０１）及外源性ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：９８７８±１９４７ｖｓ．１３４８１±４４ｌ０,Ｐ＜０．０５）;抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－Ｂｐ和ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,提高ＰＤＧＦａ和β受体ｍＲＮＡ的表达;显著降低ｈＡＳＭＣ培养液中血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）的浓度和血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）的活性,推测ＨＳＰＧ抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－β及ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,降低ＡＣＥ活性及ＡｎｇⅡ浓度是其抑制ｈＡＳＭＣ增殖的重要机     

Interleukin-1beta-induced substance P release from rat cultured primary afferent neurons driven by two phospholipase A2 enzymes: secretory type IIA and cytosolic type IV

We previously described that recombinant interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced the significant release of substance P (SP) via a cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway in primary cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. In the present study, we examined the involvement of two types of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes, which lie upstream of COX in the prostanoid-generating pathway, in the IL-1beta-induced release of SP from DRG cells. The expression of type IIA secretory PLA2 (sPLA2 -IIA) mRNA was undetectable by ribonuclease protection assay in non-treated DRG cells, while in DRG cells incubated with 1 ng/mL of IL-1beta, the expression was induced in a time-dependent manner. On the other hand, type IV cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2 ) mRNA was constitutively expressed in the non-treated DRG cells, and treatment with 1 ng/mL of IL-1beta for 3 h significantly increased the levels of cPLA2 mRNA. The IL-1beta-induced SP release was significantly inhibited by the sPLA2 inhibitor, thioetheramide phosphorylcholine (TEA-PC), and the cPLA2 inhibitor, arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3 ). Furthermore AACOCF3 suppressed the induction of sPLA2 -IIA mRNA expression induced by IL-1beta. These observations suggested that two types of PLA2, sPLA2 -IIA and cPLA2, were involved in the IL-1beta-induced release of SP from DRG cells, and that the functional cross-talk between the two enzymes might help to control their activity in the prostanoid-generating system in DRG cells. These events might be key steps in the inflammation-induced hyperactivity in primary afferent neurons of spinal cord.     

外周P物质受体介导伤害性刺激所致脊髓背角c-fos基因的表达

用免疫组化染色方法,观察了Ｐ物质受体在外周对伤害性刺激信息的介导作用。于福尔马林注入双侧后肢足底前１０ｍｉｎ,将不同浓度的ＳＰ受体特异性拮抗剂Ｌ６６８,１６９注入一侧足底,另一侧注入生理盐水。结果：１０＾－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｌ６６８,１６９明显抑制了该侧脊髓背角浅层ｃ－ｆｏｓ基因的表达而对深层影响不大;     

Effects of lordosis-relevant neuropeptides on midbrain periaqueductal gray neuronal activity in vitro.

Certain neuropeptides can facilitate lordosis by acting on midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) in estrogen-primed female rats. Here, we investigated responses of individual PAG neurons in vitro, to five neuropeptides: substance P (SP), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), prolactin (PRL), oxytocin (OT), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Substance P, OT, and TRH excited spontaneous activity of PAG neurons through neurotransmitter-like actions in a dose-dependent manner, whereas LHRH and PRL virtually never affected PAG neurons this way. Oxytocin acted through oxytocin receptors located on the recorded PAG neurons, since excitatory actions of OT were 1) not abolished by synaptic blockade, 2) mimicked by the OT-specific agonist [Thr4, Gly7]OT but not by arginine vasopressin, and 3) blocked by the OT-specific antagonist [d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)2,Orn8]vasotocin. Although LHRH had no neurotransmitter-like action on spontaneous activity of PAG neurons, it, as well as SP, could modulate responses of some dorsal PAG neurons to GABAA and GABAB agonists or norepinephrine. Neuromodulatory actions of LHRH and SP could help facilitate lordosis through PAG neurons.     

In vitro activation of murine DRG neurons by CGRP-mediated mucosal mast cell degranulation

Upregulation of CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) primary afferent nerve fibers accompanied by mastocytosis is characteristic for the Schistosoma mansoni-infected murine ileum. These mucosal mast cells (MMC) and CGRP-IR fibers, which originate from dorsal root (DRG) and nodose ganglia, are found in close apposition. We examined interactions between primary cultured MMC and CGRP-IR DRG neurons in vitro by confocal recording of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). The degranulatory EC(50) for the mast cell secretagogue compound 48/80 (C48/80; 10 microg/ml) and the neuropeptides CGRP (2.10(-8) M) and substance P (SP; 3.10(-8) M) were determined by measurement of extracellular release of the granule chymase, mouse mast cell protease-1. Application of C48/80 (10 microg/ml) and CGRP and SP (both 10(-7) M) to Fluo-4-loaded MMC induced a transient rise in [Ca(2+)](i) after a lag time, indicative of mast cell degranulation and/or secretion. The CGRP response could be completely blocked by pertussis toxin (2 microg/ml), indicating involvement of G(i) proteins. Application of MMC juice, obtained by C48/80 degranulation of MMC, to Fluo-4-loaded DRG neurons induced in all neurons a rise in [Ca(2+)](i), indicative of activation. Degranulation of MMC by C48/80 in culture dishes containing Fluo-4-loaded DRG neurons also caused activation of the DRG neurons. In conclusion, these results demonstrate a bidirectional cross-talk between cultured MMC and CGRP-IR DRG neurons in vitro. This indicates that such a communication may be the functional relevance for the close apposition between MMC and CGRP-IR nerve fibers in vivo.     

Expression of tachykinin receptors inXenopus oocytes injected with poly (A)+ RNA from cat dorsal root ganglion

The expression of the types of tachykinin receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by means ofXenopus oocyte expressing system was studied. Poly(A)⁺ RNAs were extracted from cat cervical and lumbar DRG. Two days after injection of Poly (A)⁺ RNAs, the oocytes were recorded with the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In the oocytes injected with DRG poly(A)⁺ RNA, [Sar⁹, Met(O₂)¹¹]-substance P(Sar -SP, 1 μmol/L), neurokinin A (NKA, 1 μmol/L) or [β-Ala⁸]-neurokinin A_(4?10) (Ala-NKA, 1 μmol/L) produced an inward current comprising a rapid spike and a long sustained oscillatory component for several minutes. Sar-SP induced response was blocked by NK-1 antagonist L-668, 169 (1 μmol/L), but not by NK-2 antagonist L-659, 877(1μmol/L). In contrast, Ala-NKA and NKA responses were only blocked by L-659, 877. The oocytes injected with DH Poly(A)⁺RNA also responded to Sar-SP and NKA with similar inward currents, which were selectively blocked by L-668, 169 and L-659, 877, respectively. These tachykinins-induced responses had a potent desensitization. The present data indicate expression of NK-1 and NK-2 receptors in DRG neurons, suggesting that there may be tachykinin autoreceptors on the nociceptive primary afferent terminals.     

Transforming growth factor beta has neurotrophic actions on sensory neurons in vitro and is synergistic with nerve growth factor.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) influences the growth and differentiation of a wide variety of nonneuronal cells (nnc) during embryogenesis and in response to wounding. In the present study TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2 were examined for their neurotrophic actions on neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons with ganglionic nnc in dissociated cultures. TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 2 each increased both neuronal survival and levels of the peptide neurotransmitter substance P (SP) expressed per neuron as well as per culture. TGF beta 1 was maximally effective at a concentration of 40 pM, whereas TGF beta 2 was about 10-fold less potent. Survival effects promoted by simultaneous treatment with both factors were not additive. TGF beta 1 also changed the morphology and distribution of DRG nnc which resulted in clustering of DRG neurons on top of the nnc. Cotreatment of the cultures with two different anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) antibodies eliminated the neurotrophic effects of TGF beta 1. However, treatment with TGF beta 1 did not alter NGF mRNA expression in the cultures nor did it change the amount of NGF in the medium. Further, TGF beta 1 greatly enhanced survival effects and SP stimulation promoted by exogenous NGF at concentrations up to 100 ng/ml. The neurotrophic effects of TGF beta 1 were significantly attenuated by decreasing the proportion of the ganglionic nnc, suggesting a role for these cells in mediating TGF beta 1 action on the neurons. It is hypothesized that the neurotrophic activity of TGF beta depended upon the presence of molecules immunologically related to NGF and that the effects of TGF beta were synergistic with NGF. These observations suggest that TGF beta may play a role in the differentiation and regeneration of DRG neurons in vivo.     

Interleukin-1β Induces Substance P Release from Primary Afferent Neurons Through the Cyclooxygenase-2 System

Substance P (SP) is synthesized in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and released from primary afferent neurons to convey information regarding noxious stimuli. The effects of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta on the release of SP were investigated using primary cultured rat DRG cells. Recombinant mouse IL-1beta added to the cells at 0.1 ng/ml increased the SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in the culture medium after incubation for 6 h by approximately 50% as compared with that of nontreated DRG cells. The effect of IL-1beta was Ca(2+)-dependent and significantly inhibited by 100 ng/ml IL-1 receptor-specific antagonist (IL-1r antagonist), cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors such as 0.1 mM aspirin, 1 microg/ml indomethacin, and 1 microM NS-398 (specific for COX-2), and 1 microM dexamethasone. Furthermore, a 1-h incubation with IL-1beta markedly increased the inducible COX-2 mRNA level, which was inhibited by an IL-1r antagonist and dexamethasone, whereas IL-1beta showed no effect on the level of constitutive COX-1 mRNA. These observations indicated that IL-1beta induced the release of SP from the DRG cells via specific IL-1 receptors, the mechanism of which might involve prostanoid systems produced by COX-2. This could be responsible for the hyperalgesic action with reference to inflammatory pain in the primary afferent neuron to spinal cord pathway.     

Expression of tachykinin receptors in Xenopus oocytes injected with poly(A)+RNA from cat dorsal root ganglion

The expression of the types of tachykinin receptors in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by means ofXenopus oocyte expressing system was studied. Poly(A)⁺ RNAs were extracted from cat cervical and lumbar DRG. Two days after injection of Poly (A)⁺ RNAs, the oocytes were recorded with the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In the oocytes injected with DRG poly(A)⁺ RNA, [Sar⁹, Met(O₂)¹¹]-substance P(Sar -SP, 1 μmol/L), neurokinin A (NKA, 1 μmol/L) or [β-Ala⁸]-neurokinin A₍₄₋₁₀₎ (Ala-NKA, 1 μmol/L) produced an inward current comprising a rapid spike and a long sustained oscillatory component for several minutes. Sar-SP induced response was blocked by NK-1 antagonist L-668, 169 (1 μmol/L), but not by NK-2 antagonist L-659, 877(1μmol/L). In contrast, Ala-NKA and NKA responses were only blocked by L-659, 877. The oocytes injected with DH Poly(A)⁺RNA also responded to Sar-SP and NKA with similar inward currents, which were selectively blocked by L-668, 169 and L-659, 877, respectively. These tachykinins-induced responses had a potent desensitization. The present data indicate expression of NK-1 and NK-2 receptors in DRG neurons, suggesting that there may be tachykinin autoreceptors on the nociceptive primary afferent terminals. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 39370249).     

Effects of Stimulation of the Periaqueductal Gray and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Locus Coeruleus</Emphasis> on Postsynaptic Reactions of Cat Somatosensory Cortex Neurons Activated by Nociceptors

In cats, we studied the influences of stimulation of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and locus coeruleus (LC) on postsynaptic processes evoked in neurons of the somatosensory cortex by stimulation of nociceptive (intensive stimulation of the tooth pulp) and non-nociceptive (moderate stimulations of the infraorbital nerve and ventroposteromedial nucleus of the thalamus) afferent inputs. Twelve cells activated exclusively by nociceptors and 16 cells activated by both nociceptive and non-nociceptive influences (hereafter, nociceptive and convergent neurons, respectively) were recorded intracellularly. In neurons of both groups, responses to nociceptive stimulation (of sufficient intensity) looked like an EPSP-spike-IPSP (the latter, of significant duration, up to 200 msec) complex. Electrical stimulation of the PAG (which could itself evoke activation of the cortical neurons under study) resulted in long-term suppression of synaptic responses evoked by excitation of nociceptors (inhibition reached its maximum at a test interval of 600 to 800 msec). We observed a certain parallelism between conditioning influences of PAG activation and effects of systemic injections of morphine. Isolated stimulation of LC by a short high-frequency train of stimuli evoked primary excitatory responses (complex EPSPs) in a part of the examined cortical neurons, while in other cells high-amplitude and long-lasting IPSP (up to 120 msec) were observed. Independently of the type of the primary response to PAG stimulation, the latter resulted in long-term (several seconds) suppression of the responses evoked in cortical cells by stimulation of the nociceptive inputs. The mechanisms of modulatory influences coming from opioidergic and noradrenergic brain systems to somatosensory cortex neurons activated due to excitation of high-threshold (nociceptive) afferent inputs are discussed.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 61–73, January–February, 2005.