6533b854fe1ef96bd12ae95f
RESEARCH PRODUCT
BDNF, but not NT-4, is necessary for normal development of Meissner corpuscles.
T. González-martínezJosé A. VegaJosé A. VegaMiguel Del ValleJuan CoboJorge FeitoIsabel FariñasG. Germanàsubject
Pathologymedicine.medical_specialtyRatónTropomyosin receptor kinase BLigandsS100 proteinMicemedicineAnimalsReceptor trkBNerve Growth FactorsBrain-derived neurotrophic factorMice KnockoutbiologyChemistryGeneral NeuroscienceBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorCell biologyMechanoreceptorMice Inbred C57BLmedicine.anatomical_structurenervous systemMeissner Corpusclebiology.proteinImmunohistochemistryMechanoreceptorsNeurotrophindescription
Abstract Meissner corpuscles are rapidly adapting cutaneous mechanoreceptors depending for development on TrkB expressing sensory neurons, but it remains to be established which of the known TrkB ligands, BDNF or NT-4, is responsible of this dependence. In this study we analyze Meissner corpuscles in the digital pads of mice with target mutations in the genes encoding for either BDNF or NT-4, using immunohistochemistry and transmission-electron microscopy, and they were identified based on their morphology and expression of S100 protein. All wild-type animals as well as NT-4 −/− animals and BDNF and NT4 heterozygous animals have Meissner corpuscles that are normal in number and size. However, Meissner corpuscles are absent the BDNF −/− mice. These results suggest that BDNF is the only TrkB ligand involved in the development of Meissner corpuscles in murine glabrous skin, and it probably regulates the development of the sensory neurons that innervate Meissner corpuscles.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-03-01 | Neuroscience letters |