Pacinian corpuscle development involves multiple Trk signaling pathways

• Published in: Developmental dynamics Vol. 231; no. 3; pp. 551 - 563
• Main Authors: Šedý, J., Szeder, V., Walro, J.M., Ren, Z.G., Naňka, O., Tessarollo, L., Sieber‐Blum, M., Grim, M., Kucera, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.11.2004
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - genetics; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - metabolism; mechanoreceptors; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; mutant mice; Nerve Growth Factor - genetics; Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism; Nerve Growth Factors - genetics; Nerve Growth Factors - metabolism; Neurons, Afferent - metabolism; Neurotrophin 3 - genetics; Neurotrophin 3 - metabolism; neurotrophins; Pacinian corpuscle; Pacinian Corpuscles - growth & development; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor - genetics; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism; Receptor, trkA - genetics; Receptor, trkA - metabolism; Receptor, trkB - genetics; Receptor, trkB - metabolism; Receptor, trkC - genetics; Receptor, trkC - metabolism; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor - genetics; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism; sensory neurons; Signal Transduction; Trk receptors
• ISSN: 1058-8388; 1097-0177
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20156

The development of crural Pacinian corpuscles was explored in neonatal mutant mice lacking nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT3) or neurotrophin‐4 (NT4), or their cognate Trk receptors. Deficits of the corpuscles and their afferents were greatest in NT3, less in BDNF, and least in NT4 null mice. Deletion of NGF or p75NTR genes had little or no impact. No Pacinian corpuscles were present in NT3;BDNF and NT3;NT4 double or NT3;BDNF;NT4 triple null mice. Deficits were larger in NT3 than TrkC mutants and were comparable to deficits observed in TrkB or TrkA mutants. Afferents of all corpuscles coexpressed TrkA and TrkB receptors, and some afferents coexpressed all three Trk receptors. Our results suggest that multiple neurotrophins, in particular NT3, regulate the density of crural Pacinian corpuscles, most likely by regulating the survival of sensory neurons. In addition, NT3/TrkB and/or NT3/TrkA signaling plays a greater role than NT3/TrkC signaling in afferents to developing Pacinian corpuscles. Developmental Dynamics 231:551–563, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.