Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Increases Following Axotomy of Trochlear Motoneurons

Neuropeptides have long been considered to act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators, but they may also contribute to a variety of regulatory and trophic neuronal functions. In the present study, we determined the effects of axotomy on the levels of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide...

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Published inExperimental neurology Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 157 - 166
Main Authors Wang, Xiao H., Iannuzzelli, Pasquale G., Murphy, E.Hazel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.09.1993
Elsevier
Subjects
Animals
Axons - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide - metabolism
Cats
Denervation
Development. Senescence. Regeneration. Transplantation
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Immunologic Techniques
Male
Motor Neurons - metabolism
Trochlear Nerve - cytology
Trochlear Nerve - metabolism
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Fissipedia
Regeneration
Carnivora
Vertebrata
Axotomy
Mammalia
Peptide hormone
Cat
Motor neuron
Calcitonine gene related peptide
Neuropeptide
Experimental surgery
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Summary:Neuropeptides have long been considered to act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators, but they may also contribute to a variety of regulatory and trophic neuronal functions. In the present study, we determined the effects of axotomy on the levels of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in trochlear motoneurons (TMNs) of adult cats. The number of neurons with detectable CGRP immunoreactivity, and the intensity of their CGRP immunoreactivity, increased dramatically 1 week postaxotomy, gradually returned toward normal levels, but remained significantly higher than normal 12 weeks postaxotomy—a time when axonal regeneration and functional reinnervation of the superior oblique muscle should be complete. Our observation that CGRP levels in TMNs increase after axotomy suggests a role for this peptide in the response of motoneurons to injury and in regeneration. In addition, since many axotomized TMNs die, we suggest that the maintenance of high CGRP levels even after regeneration is complete may reflect an increased load on those TMNs that survive.
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ISSN:0014-4886
1090-2430
DOI:10.1006/exnr.1993.1148