Chapman, RJ, Lall, VK, Maxeiner, S et al. (3 more authors) (2013) Localization of neurones expressing the gap junction protein Connexin45 within the adult spinal dorsal horn: a study using Cx45-eGFP reporter mice. Brain Structure and Function, 218 (3). 751 - 765. ISSN 1863-2653
Abstract
Connexin (Cx) proteins localized to neuronal and glial syncytia provide the ultrastructural components for intercellular communication via gap junctions. In this study, a Cx45 reporter mouse model in which the Cx45 coding sequence is substituted for enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was used to characterize Cx45 expressing neurones within adult mouse spinal cord. eGFP-immunoreactive (eGFP-IR) cells were localized at all rostro-caudal levels to laminae I-III of the dorsal horn (DH), areas associated with nociception. The neuronal rather than glial phenotype of these cells in DH was confirmed by co-localisation of eGFP-IR with the neuronal marker NeuN. Further immunohistochemical studies revealed that eGFP-IR interneurones co-express the calcium-binding protein calbindin, and to a lesser extent calretinin. In contrast, eGFP-IR profiles did not co-localize with either parvalbumin or GAD-67, both of which are linked to inhibitory interneurones. Staining with the primary afferent markers isolectin-B4 (IB4) and calcitonin gene-related peptide revealed that eGFP-IR somata within laminae I-III receive close appositions from the former, presumed non-peptidergic nociceptive afferents of peripheral origin. The presence of 5-HT terminals in close apposition to eGFP-IR interneuronal somata suggests modulation via descending pathways. These data demonstrate a highly localized expression of Cx45 in a population of interneurones within the mouse superficial dorsal horn. The implications of these data in the context of the putative role of Cx45 and gap junctions in spinal somatosensory processing and pain are discussed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com |
Keywords: | Animals; Choline O-Acetyltransferase; Connexins; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutamate Decarboxylase; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Posterior Horn Cells; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Serotonin; Spinal Cord |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Nov 2015 11:21 |
Last Modified: | 10 Nov 2015 11:23 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429-012-0426-1 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s00429-012-0426-1 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:85933 |