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Melanocortin-4 receptor expression in different classes of spinal and vagal primary afferent neurons in the mouse.

ABSTRACT: Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) ligands are known to modulate nociception, but the site of action of MC4R signaling on nociception remains to be elucidated. The current study investigated MC4R expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the MC4R-GFP reporter mouse. Because MC4R is known to be expressed in vagal afferent neurons in the nodose ganglion (NG), we also systematically compared MC4R-expressing vagal and spinal afferent neurons. Abundant green fluorescent protein (GFP) immunoreactivity was found in about 45% of DRG neuronal profiles (at the mid-thoracic level), the majority being small-sized profiles. Immunohistochemistry combined with in situ hybridization confirmed that GFP was genuinely produced in MC4R-expressing neurons in the DRG. While a large number of GFP profiles in the DRG coexpressed Nav1.8 mRNA (84%) and bound isolectin B4 (72%), relatively few GFP profiles were positive for NF200 (16%) or CGRP (13%), suggesting preferential MC4R expression in C-fiber nonpeptidergic neurons. By contrast, GFP in the NG frequently colocalized with Nav1.8 mRNA (64%) and NF200 (29%), but only to a moderate extent with isolectin B4 (16%). Lastly, very few GFP profiles in the NG expressed CGRP (5%) or CART (4%). Together, our findings demonstrate variegated MC4R expression in different classes of vagal and spinal primary afferent neurons, and underscore the role of the melanocortin system in modulating nociceptive and nonnociceptive peripheral sensory modalities.

SUBMITTER: Gautron L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3734951 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Melanocortin-4 receptor expression in different classes of spinal and vagal primary afferent neurons in the mouse.

Gautron Laurent L Lee Charlotte E CE Lee Syann S Elmquist Joel K JK

The Journal of comparative neurology 20121201 17

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) ligands are known to modulate nociception, but the site of action of MC4R signaling on nociception remains to be elucidated. The current study investigated MC4R expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the MC4R-GFP reporter mouse. Because MC4R is known to be expressed in vagal afferent neurons in the nodose ganglion (NG), we also systematically compared MC4R-expressing vagal and spinal afferent neurons. Abundant green fluorescent protein (GFP) immunoreactivity wa ...[more]

PMID: 22592759

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Project description:Background & aimsProper colon function requires signals from extrinsic primary afferent neurons (ExPANs) located in spinal ganglia. Most ExPANs express the vanilloid receptor TRPV1, and a dense plexus of TRPV1-positive fibers is found around myenteric neurons. Capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, can initiate activity in myenteric neurons and produce muscle contraction. ExPANs might therefore form motility-regulating synapses onto myenteric neurons. ExPANs mediate visceral pain, and myenteric neurons mediate colon motility, so we investigated communication between ExPANs and myenteric neurons and the circuits by which ExPANs modulate colon function.MethodsIn live mice and colon tissues that express a transgene encoding the calcium indicator GCaMP, we visualized levels of activity in myenteric neurons during smooth muscle contractions induced by application of capsaicin, direct colon stimulation, stimulation of ExPANs, or stimulation of preganglionic parasympathetic neuron (PPN) axons. To localize central targets of ExPANs, we optogenetically activated TRPV1-expressing ExPANs in live mice and then quantified Fos immunoreactivity to identify activated spinal neurons.ResultsFocal electrical stimulation of mouse colon produced phased-locked calcium signals in myenteric neurons and produced colon contractions. Stimulation of the L6 ventral root, which contains PPN axons, also produced myenteric activation and contractions that were comparable to those of direct colon stimulation. Surprisingly, capsaicin application to the isolated L6 dorsal root ganglia, which produced robust calcium signals in neurons throughout the ganglion, did not activate myenteric neurons. Electrical activation of the ganglia, which activated even more neurons than capsaicin, did not produce myenteric activation or contractions unless the spinal cord was intact, indicating that a complete afferent-to-efferent (PPN) circuit was necessary for ExPANs to regulate myenteric neurons. In TRPV1-channel rhodopsin-2 mice, light activation of ExPANs induced a pain-like visceromotor response and expression of Fos in spinal PPN neurons.ConclusionsIn mice, ExPANs regulate myenteric neuron activity and smooth muscle contraction via a parasympathetic spinal circuit, linking sensation and pain to motility.

Dataset Information

Melanocortin-4 receptor expression in different classes of spinal and vagal primary afferent neurons in the mouse.

Publications

Melanocortin-4 receptor expression in different classes of spinal and vagal primary afferent neurons in the mouse.

Similar Datasets

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