Nerve Growth Factor in Breast Cancer Cells Promotes Axonal Growth and Expression of Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide in a Rat Model of Spinal Metastasis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bone metastasis commonly causes severe pain. Nerve growth factor (NGF) contributes to pain, and promotes the production of pain-associated neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), from sensory nerve endings. We hypothesized that breast cancer cells have NGF levels that promote axonal growth from dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) neurons, and increase their CGRP production associated with pain from spinal metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of NGF by the cultured rat breast adenocarcinoma cell line CRL-1666 was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We constructed a rat model of spinal metastasis by implanting CRL-1666 into L6 vertebrae and determined the change in CGRP expression in DRG neurons innervating vertebrae immunohistochemically. RESULTS: NGF was expressed by CRL-1666. When DRG cells were co-cultured with CRL-1666, there were more CGRP-ir neurons and with a greater average length of axon growth than in cultures without CRL-1666 (p<0.05). In the rat model of metastasis, there were more CGRP-ir DRG neurons innervating vertebra treated with CRL-1666 than in vertebrae from sham surgery control rats (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: NGF from breast cancer may mediate spinal bone pain from metastasis via axonal growth and up-regulation of pain-associated neuropeptides.

Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) Plays an Important Role in the Laminin-Dependent Development of Dorsal Root Ganglia during Chicken Embryogenesis.

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is mainly localized in focal adhesions where it interacts and modulates the downstream signaling of integrins affecting cell migration, adhesion, and survival. The interaction of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells, being part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), with the extracellular matrix (ECM) via integrins is crucial for proper PNS development. A few studies have focused on ILK's role in PNS development, but none of these have focused on chicken. Therefore, we decided to investigate ILK's role in the development of Gallus gallus domesticus's DRG. First, using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and in situ hybridization, we show that ILK is expressed in DRG. Next, by immunocytochemistry, we show ILK's localization both intracellularly and on the cell membrane of DRG neurons and Schwann cell precursors (SCPs). Finally, we describe ILK's involvement in multiple aspects of DRG development by performing functional experiments in vitro. IgG-mediated interruption of ILK's action improved DRG neurite outgrowth, modulated their directionality, stimulated SCPs migration, and impacted growth cone morphology in the presence of laminin-1 or laminin-1 mimicking peptide IKVAV. Taken together, our results show that ILK is important for chicken PNS development, probably via its exposure to the ECM.

CNTs-CaP/chitosan-coated AZ91D magnesium alloy extract promoted rat dorsal root ganglia neuron growth via activating ERK signalling pathway.

Increasing attention has been paid on the application of biodegradable materials such as magnesium and its alloys in neuron repair. AZ91D magnesium alloy coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and/or calcium phosphate (CaP)/chitosan (CS) was fabricated in this study. To evaluate the bioactivity of these AZ91D-based composites, the extracts were prepared by immersing samples in modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF) for 0, 2, 8, 16, 24, 34, 44, 60, or 90 days. Immunofluorescence staining for neuronal class III ß-tubulin (TUJ1) revealed that both CNTs-CaP/CS-AZ91D and CaP/CS-AZ91D extracts promoted axon outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, accompanied with increased expression of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43). Besides, the extracts increased the expression and the release of neurotrophic factors including nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). ERK signalling was activated in DRG neurons after treating with either CNTs-CaP/CS-AZ91D or CaP/CS-AZ91D extracts, and its inhibition with U0126 counteracted the beneficial effects of these extracts on DRG neuron. Overall, the extracts from these AZ91D-based composites might promote DRG neuron growth via activating ERK signalling pathway. Notably, CNTs-CaP/CS-AZ91D extracts showed a better promoting effect on neuron growth than CaP/CS-AZ91D. Assessment of ion elements showed that the addition of CNTs coating enhanced magnesium corrosion resistance and reduced the deposition of calcium and phosphorus on the surface of CaP/CS-AZ91D alloy. These findings demonstrate that CNTs-CaP/CS-AZ91D likely provide a more suitable environment for neuron growth, which suggests a potential implantable biomaterial for the treatment of nerve injury. SIGNIFICANCE: AZ91D magnesium alloy coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and/or calcium phosphate (CaP)/chitosan (CS) was fabricated and their immersion extracts were prepared using modified simulated body fluid in this study. Both extracts from CNTs-CaP/CS and CaP/CS-coated AZ91D magnesium alloy promotes rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuron growth via activating ERK signalling pathway. Notably, the addition of CNTs improves the performance of CaP/CS-AZ91D. For the first time, our research demonstrates that CNTs-CaP/CS-AZ91D likely provide a suitable environment for neuron growth, suggesting these AZ91D-based composites as potential implantable biomaterials for the treatment of nerve injury.

Expression of Cholinergic Markers and Characterization of Splice Variants during Ontogenesis of Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons.

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons synthesize acetylcholine (ACh), in addition to their peptidergic nature. They also release ACh and are cholinoceptive, as they express cholinergic receptors. During gangliogenesis, ACh plays an important role in neuronal differentiation, modulating neuritic outgrowth and neurospecific gene expression. Starting from these data, we studied the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) expression in rat DRG neurons. ChAT and VAChT genes are arranged in a "cholinergic locus", and several splice variants have been described. Using selective primers, we characterized splice variants of these cholinergic markers, demonstrating that rat DRGs express R1, R2, M, and N variants for ChAT and V1, V2, R1, and R2 splice variants for VAChT. Moreover, by RT-PCR analysis, we observed a progressive decrease in ChAT and VAChT transcripts from the late embryonic developmental stage (E18) to postnatal P2 and P15 and in the adult DRG. Interestingly, Western blot analyses and activity assays demonstrated that ChAT levels significantly increased during DRG ontogenesis. The modulated expression of different ChAT and VAChT splice variants during development suggests a possible differential regulation of cholinergic marker expression in sensory neurons and confirms multiple roles for ACh in DRG neurons, both in the embryo stage and postnatally.

Taurine ameliorates axonal damage in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats and high glucose exposed DRG neuron by PI3K/Akt/mTOR-dependent pathway.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes and axonopathy is its main pathological feature. Previous studies suggested an advantage of taurine against diabetes. However, there are few reports which study the effect of taurine against axonopathy. In this study, we confirmed that taurine significantly decreased blood glucose level, mitigated insulin resistance and improved dysfunctional nerve conduction in diabetic rats. Taurine corrected damaged axonal morphology of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats and induced axon outgrowth of Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons exposed to high glucose. Taurine up-regulated phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats and DRG neurons exposed to high glucose. However, Akt and mTOR inhibitors (MK-2206 and Rapamycin) blocked the effect of taurine on improving axonal damage. These results indicate that taurine ameliorates axonal damage in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Our findings provide taurine as a potential candidate for axonopathy and a new evidence for elucidating protective mechanism of taurine on DPN.

Expression patterns of ciliopathy genes ARL3 and CEP120 reveal roles in multisystem development.

BACKGROUND: Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD) and Jeune syndrome are multisystem ciliopathy disorders with overlapping phenotypes. There are a growing number of genetic causes for these rare syndromes, including the recently described genes ARL3 and CEP120. METHODS: We sought to explore the developmental expression patterns of ARL3 and CEP120 in humans to gain additional understanding of these genetic conditions. We used an RNA in situ detection technique called RNAscope to characterise ARL3 and CEP120 expression patterns in human embryos and foetuses in collaboration with the MRC-Wellcome Trust Human Developmental Biology Resource. RESULTS: Both ARL3 and CEP120 are expressed in early human brain development, including the cerebellum and in the developing retina and kidney, consistent with the clinical phenotypes seen with pathogenic variants in these genes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the potential pathogenesis of JSRD by uncovering the spatial expression of two JSRD-causative genes during normal human development.

Facile design of autogenous stimuli-responsive chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles for efficient small molecules to protein delivery.

Easily assembled and biocompatible chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanoparticles with multiple stimuli-responsive ability are ideally suited for efficient delivery of therapeutic agents under specific endogenous triggers. We report a simple and versatile strategy to formulate oxidative stress and pH-responsive chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanocarriers with high encapsulation efficiencies of small drug molecules and nerve growth factor protein. This is achieved through invoking the dual role of a thioketal-based weak organic acid to disperse and functionalize low molecular weight chitosan in one-pot. Thioketal embedded chitosan/hyaluronic acid nanostructures respond to oxidative stress and show controlled release of quercetin, curcumin and NGF. Lowering the pH in the buffer solution led to higher quercetin release from NPs than at physiological pH, and mimicked the nanoparticle behavior in the environment of early to late endosomes. Curcumin and quercetin loaded NPs killed glioblastoma cells with high efficiency, and NGF-loaded nanoparticles retained biological activity of the protein and increased peripheral nerve outgrowth in explanted mouse dorsal root ganglia.

Active acetylcholine receptors prevent the atrophy of skeletal muscles and favor reinnervation.

Denervation of skeletal muscles induces severe muscle atrophy, which is preceded by cellular alterations such as increased plasma membrane permeability, reduced resting membrane potential and accelerated protein catabolism. The factors that induce these changes remain unknown. Conversely, functional recovery following denervation depends on successful reinnervation. Here, we show that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) by quantal release of acetylcholine (ACh) from motoneurons is sufficient to prevent changes induced by denervation. Using in vitro assays, ACh and non-hydrolysable ACh analogs repressed the expression of connexin43 and connexin45 hemichannels, which promote muscle atrophy. In co-culture studies, connexin43/45 hemichannel knockout or knockdown increased innervation of muscle fibers by dorsal root ganglion neurons. Our results show that ACh released by motoneurons exerts a hitherto unknown function independent of myofiber contraction. nAChRs and connexin hemichannels are potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in a variety of pathological conditions with reduced synaptic neuromuscular transmission.

Cortex Mori Radicis extract promotes neurite outgrowth in diabetic rats by activating PI3K/AKT signaling and inhibiting Ca2+ influx associated with the upregulation of transient receptor potential canonical channel 1.

Cortex Mori Radicis extract (CMR) has various pharmacological properties, such as anti­inflammatory, anti­allergic and anti­hyperglycemic effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of CMR in the neuroregeneration of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are unclear. In the present study, the effects of CMR on neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in diabetic rats were investigated and its underlying mechanisms were explored. SD rats were subjected to a high­fat diet with low­dose streptozotocin to induce a Type II diabetes model with peripheral neuropathy. CMR was then applied for four weeks continuously with or without injection of small interfere (si)RNA targeting the transient receptor potential canonical channel 1 (TRPC1) via the tail vein. Blood glucose levels, the number of Nissl bodies, neurite outgrowth and growth cone turning in DRG neurons were evaluated. The expression of TRPC1 protein, Ca2+ influx and activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were also investigated. The results of the present study showed that CMR significantly lowered blood glucose levels, reversed the loss of Nissl bodies, induced neurite outgrowth and restored the response of the growth cone of DRG neurons in diabetic rats. CMR exerted neurite outgrowth­promoting effects by increasing TRPC1 expression, reducing Ca2+ influx and enhancing AKT phosphorylation. siRNA targeting TRPC1 in the CMR group abrogated its anti­diabetic and neuroregenerative effects, suggesting the involvement of TRPC1 in the biological effects of CMR on DPN.

BDNF and NGF signals originating from sensory ganglia promote cranial motor axon growth.

After exiting the hindbrain, branchial motor axons reach their targets in association with sensory ganglia. The trigeminal ganglion has been shown to promote motor axon growth from rhombomeres 2/3 and 4/5, but it is unknown whether this effect is ganglion specific and through which signals it is mediated. Here, we addressed these questions by co-cultures of ventral rhombomere 8 explants with cranial and spinal sensory ganglia in a collagen gel matrix. Our results show that all cranial sensory ganglia and even a trunk dorsal root ganglion can promote motor axon growth and that ganglia isolated from older embryos had a stronger effect on the axonal growth than younger ones. We found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are necessary and sufficient for this effect. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the promoting effect of sensory ganglia on cranial motor axon growth is stage dependent, but not ganglion specific and is mediated by BDNF and NGF signals.

MZF1 in the Dorsal Root Ganglia Contributes to the Development and Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain via Regulation of TRPV1.

Previous studies have demonstrated that myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) participates in neuropathic pain induced by chronic-constriction injury (CCI) via regulation of voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv). Emerging evidence indicates that transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is involved in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Although it is known that the transcription of TRPV1 is regulated by Kruppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 7 (Klf7)-and that the structure of TRPV1 is similar to that of Kv-few studies have systematically investigated the relationship between MZF1 and TRPV1 in neuropathic pain. In the present study, we demonstrated that CCI induced an increase in MZF1 and TRPV1 in lumbar-level 4/5 (L4/5) DRGs at 3 days post-CCI and that this increase was persistent until at least 14 days post-CCI. DRG microinjection of rAAV5-MZF1 into the DRGs of naïve rats resulted in a decrease in paw-withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw-withdrawal latency (PWL) compared with that of the rAAV5-EGFP group, which started at four weeks and lasted until at least eight weeks after microinjection. Additionally, prior microinjection of MZF1 siRNA clearly ameliorated CCI-induced reduction in PWT and PWL at 3 days post-CCI and lasted until at least 7 days post-CCI. Correspondingly, microinjection of MZF1 siRNA subsequent to CCI alleviated the established mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by CCI, which occurred at 3 days postinjection and lasted until at least 10 days postinjection. Microinjection of rAAV5-MZF1 increased the expression of TRPV1 in DRGs. Microinjection of MZF1 siRNA diminished the CCI-induced increase of TRPV1, but not P2X7R, in DRGs. These findings suggest that MZF1 may contribute to neuropathic pain via regulation of TRPV1 expression in DRGs.

Evidence for cell-contact factor involvement in neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion neurons stimulated by Schwann cells.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Although the factors secreted from Schwann cells that promote axonal growth in the peripheral nervous system have been well studied, the effect of cell-contact factors on Schwann cells remains to be determined. What is the main finding and its importance? This study demonstrates that Schwann cells stimulate neurite outgrowth by direct contact with neurites and by secreting factors. Notably, the effect of cell-contact factors in neurite outgrowth is comparable to that of secreted factors, indicating that the identification of cell surface molecules on Schwann cells that promote neurite outgrowth could lead to development of a new therapy for peripheral nervous system injury. ABSTRACT: Schwann cells (SCs) play a variety of roles in the regeneration process after injury to the peripheral nervous system. The factors secreted from SCs that promote axonal growth have been well studied. However, the involvement of cell-contact factors on SCs remains to be determined. Here, we demonstrate a significant contribution of a cell-contact mechanism in the effect of SCs on promotion of neuronal outgrowth. Neurite outgrowth of adult sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglia was quantified during co-culture with adult SCs. Direct contact of SCs with neurons was eliminated by culturing SCs on an insert placed in the same well; this resulted in a 51% reduction in the length of neurite outgrowth. In addition, when dorsal root ganglion neurons were cultured on sparsely seeded SCs, neurons that made contact with SCs on their neurites had 118% longer neurites than neurons that lacked contacts with SCs. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that SCs stimulate neurite outgrowth via direct contact with neurites in addition to secreting factors. The identification of cell surface molecules on SCs that promote neurite outgrowth could lead to development of a new therapy for peripheral nervous system injury.

[The 810 nm low-level laser inhibits the polarization of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages to promote neuronal axon growth of dorsal root ganglion].

Objective To investigate the effect of low-level laser on the polarization and secretory phenotype of primary cultured M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in neuronal axons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Methods BMDMs were isolated and cultured, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with IFN-γ were used to induce M1 phenotype polarization of BMDMs, and then F4/80 and CD16/32 expression was detected by flow cytometry. The mature M1 type BMDMs were randomly divided into low-level laser group and control group. The laser exposure group was subjected to the laser treatments of 0.4J, 4J and 10J, and no laser was used in the control group. After 24 hours of laser exposure, the mRNA level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) of M1 type BMDMs was detected by reverse transcription PCR, and the protein level of iNOS was detected by Western blot analysis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the supernatant of cultured cells were tested by ELISA. DRG neurons were cultured with the supernatant fluid of M1 type BMDMs, and immunofluorescence cytochemistry was employed to detect neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and ß-tubulin III expression of DRG neurons for determining the influence on the growth of DRG neuronal axons. Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA level of iNOS in M1 type BMDMs dramatically increased after 24 hours of low-level laser exposure. Among the 3 groups with different energy levels, the decrease of iNOS mRNA level was the most obvious in the group with 4J laser exposure. The protein levels of iNOS in the groups with 0.4J- and 4J- laser exposure were reduced more significantly than that in the control group, and the down-regulation was more prominent in the group with 4J laser exposure than that with 0.4J laser exposure. In addition, the secretion of TNF-α from M1 type BMDMs was reduced more significantly in the groups of 4J- and 10J- laser exposure than that in the control group. With regard to IL-1ß, its secretion was inhibited in all the laser exposure groups compared with the control group, and the suppression was more prominent in the groups of 0.4J- and 4J-laser exposure than that in the group of 10J-laser exposure. Furthermore, 4J-laser exposure significantly potentiated the secretion of BDNF and NGF in M1 type BMDMs compared with the control group. Moreover, co-culture with the supernatants from 4J- and 10J-laser exposure groups could significantly promote the growth of axons of DRG neurons. Conclusion Low-level laser exposure can inhibit the polarization of M1 type BMDM and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factor including TNF-α and IL-1ß. Besides, low-level laser exposure could contribute to the secretion of neurotrophic factors including BDNF and NGF, and promote the growth of DRG axon, and this effect is dose-dependent.

Embryonic expression of GINS members in the development of the mammalian nervous system.

The GINS (Go, Ichi, Nii, and San) complex contains four protein subunits (PSF1, PSF2, PSF3, and SLD5) and has been identified as a factor essential for the initiation and elongation stages of the DNA replication process. A previous study indicated that PSF2 participated in the developing central nervous system (CNS) of Xenopus laevis. However, the expression and function of GINS members in the mammalian developing nervous system remains unclear. Here, we examined the expression of GINS members in mice during nervous system development via immunofluorescence staining. At the beginning of neural development, PSF1 and SLD5 were highly expressed in neuroepithelial stem cells (NSCs) of the inner surface of neural tube (NT) and overlapped with proliferation marker Ki67. After entering the mid- and late-phase of neural development, PSF1 and SLD5 changed their regions of expression. These genes were highly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) progenitors, but they showed no overlap with Ki67 positive cells. Instead, a reduction of SLD5 expression promoted neuronal differentiation and maturation in the late-phase. PSF2 and PSF3 showed no tissue-specificity. PSF2 was constitutively and highly expressed whereas PSF3 was expressed at very low levels during neural development. In this study, we demonstrated variations in proteins and expression regions of the GINS members during mammalian CNS development and revealed a correlation between GINS expression and cell proliferation. Furthermore, we have suggested a novel function of GINS member SLD5, which regulates the differentiation of neural stem/progenitors.

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II regulates mammalian axon growth by affecting F-actin length in growth cone.

While axon regeneration is a key determinant of functional recovery of the nervous system after injury, it is often poor in the mature nervous system. Influx of extracellular calcium (Ca2+ ) is one of the first phenomena that occur following axonal injury, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), a target substrate for calcium ions, regulates the status of cytoskeletal proteins such as F-actin. Herein, we found that peripheral axotomy activates CaMKII in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons, and inhibition of CaMKII impairs axon outgrowth in both the peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS and CNS, respectively). Most importantly, we also found that the activation of CaMKII promotes PNS and CNS axon growth, and regulatory effects of CaMKII on axon growth occur via affecting the length of the F-actin. Thus, we believe our findings provide clear evidence that CaMKII is a critical modulator of mammalian axon regeneration.

Promoting Neurite Growth and Schwann Cell Migration by the Harnessing Decellularized Nerve Matrix onto Nanofibrous Guidance.

Synergistic intercellular interactions have been widely acknowledged in tuning functional cell behaviors in vivo, and these interactions have inspired the development of a variety of scaffolds for regenerative medicine. In this paper, the promotion of Schwann cell (SC)-neurite interactions through the use of a nerve extracellular matrix-coated nanofiber composite in vitro was demonstrated using a cell culturing platform consisting of either random or aligned electrospun poly(l-lactic acid) nanofibers and decellularized peripheral nerve matrix gel (pDNM gel) from porcine peripheral nervous tissue. The pDNM-coated nanofiber platform served as a superior substrate for dorsal root ganglion culturing. Furthermore, SC migration was facilitated by pDNM gel coating on the nanofibers, accompanied with much faster axonal extension, in comparison with the effect of topographical guidance from the aligned electrospun fibers only. Finally, the decellularized nerve matrix promoted the ability of SCs to wrap around bundled neurites, triggering axonal remyelination toward nerve fiber functionalization.

Agomelatine modulates calcium signaling through protein kinase C and phospholipase C-mediated mechanisms in rat sensory neurons.

Agomelatine, a novel antidepressant exerting its effects through melatonergic and serotonergic systems, implicated to be effective against pain including neuropathic pain but without any knowledge of mechanism of action. To explore the possible role of agomelatine on nociceptive transmission at the peripheral level, the effects of agomelatine on intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ) signaling in peripheral neurons were investigated in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using the fura-2-based calcium imaging technique, the effects of agomelatine on [Ca2+ ]i and roles of the second messenger-mediated pathways were assessed. Agomelatine caused [Ca2+ ]i signaling in a dose-dependent manner when tested at 10 and 100 µM concentration. Luzindole, a selective melatonin receptor antagonist, almost completely blocked the agomelatine-induced calcium signals. The agomelatine-induced calcium transients were also nearly abolished following pretreatment with the 100 ng/ml pertussis toxin, a Gi/o protein inhibitor. The stimulatory effects of agomelatine on [Ca2+ ]i transients were significantly reduced by applications of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) blockers, 10 µM U73122, and 10 µM chelerythrine chloride, respectively. The obtained results of agomelatine-induced [Ca2+ ]i signals indicates that peripheral mechanisms are involved in analgesic effects of agomelatine. These mechanisms seems to involve G-protein-coupled receptor activation and PLC and PKC mediated mechanisms.

Chemotactic responses of growing neurites to precisely controlled gradients of nerve growth factor.

Chemotaxis plays a key role in many biological systems. In particular in the context of the developing nervous system, growing neurites can respond in vitro to shallow gradients of chemotropic molecules such as nerve growth factor (NGF). However, in such studies the gradient parameters are often not well controlled. Here we present a dataset of ~3500 images of early postnatal rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants growing in 40 different precisely controlled combinations of absolute concentration and gradient steepness of NGF. Each image has been segmented into neurite and explant-body regions. We provide computer code for exploration and quantification of the data, including a Fourier analysis of the outer contour of neurite growth, which allows quantities such as outgrowth and guidance as a function of concentration and gradient steepness to be easily extracted. This is the most comprehensive quantitative dataset of chemotactic responses yet available for any biological system, which we hope will be useful for exploring the biological mechanisms governing chemotaxis.

Use of a capillary alginate gel (Capgel™) to study the three-dimensional development of sensory nerves reveals the formation of a rudimentary perineurium.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathies affect approximately 20 million people in the United States and often stem from other chronic conditions, such as diabetes. In vitro methodologies to facilitate the understanding and treatment of these disorders often lack the cellular and functional complexity required to accurately model peripheral neuropathies. In particular, they are often 2D and fail to faithfully reproduce the 3D in vivo microenvironment. NEW METHOD: Embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants were inserted into laminin derivatized capillary alginate gel (Capgel™), a bioabsorbable, self-assembling biomaterial, possessing parallel microchannel architecture, and cultured to mimic normal nerve development, including Schwann cell myelination. RESULTS: Laminin derivatization of the microchannels improved nerve growth through the gel. Axon bundles containing myelinating Schwann cells migrated through the gel and were ensheathed by rudimentary perineurium up to 1 mm from the DRG explant site. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Other nerve models are two-dimensional in nature and/or fail to conserve the complicated architecture and cellular milieu observed in vivo. Our nerve model shows the simple culture technique of cells grown in 3D, which allows for a more advanced structural organization that more accurately mimics the in vivo nerve fascicle. CONCLUSIONS: When embryonic DRG explants are cultured in this system, they show a striking resemblance to in vivo peripheral nerve fascicles, including myelinated axons and the formation of a rudimentary perineurium, suggesting that both neuronal and non-neuronal cells within the DRG explant are capable of recreating the 3D structure of a developing sensory fascicle within the microchannel architecture.

Cas Adaptor Proteins Coordinate Sensory Axon Fasciculation.

Development of complex neural circuits like the peripheral somatosensory system requires intricate mechanisms to ensure axons make proper connections. While much is known about ligand-receptor pairs required for dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axon guidance, very little is known about the cytoplasmic effectors that mediate cellular responses triggered by these guidance cues. Here we show that members of the Cas family of cytoplasmic signaling adaptors are highly phosphorylated in central projections of the DRG as they enter the spinal cord. Furthermore, we provide genetic evidence that Cas proteins regulate fasciculation of DRG sensory projections. These data establish an evolutionarily conserved requirement for Cas adaptor proteins during peripheral nervous system axon pathfinding. They also provide insight into the interplay between axonal fasciculation and adhesion to the substrate.