Neurotrophin-4: a survival factor for adult sensory neurons. Curr Biol 2002 Aug 20;12(16):1401-4
Date
08/27/2002Pubmed ID
12194821DOI
10.1016/s0960-9822(02)01072-2Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0037143446 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 57 CitationsAbstract
The nerve growth factor (NGF) family of neurotrophins provides a substantial part of the normal trophic support for sensory neurons during development. Although these neurotrophins, which include Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), continue to be expressed into adulthood, there is little evidence that they are survival factors for adult neurons. Here we have examined the age-dependent neurotrophic requirements of a specialized type of mechanoreceptive neuron, called a D-hair receptor, in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Studies using knockout mice have demonstrated that the survival of D-hair receptors is dependent upon both NT-3 and NT-4. Here, we show that the time period when D-hair receptors require these two neurotrophins is different. Survival of D-hair receptors depends on NT-3 early in postnatal development and NT-4 later in the mature animal. The age-dependent loss of D-hair neurons in older NT-4 knockout mice was accompanied by a large reduction (78%) in neurons positive for the NT-4 receptor (trkB) together with neuronal apoptosis in the DRG. This is the first evidence that sensory neurons have a physiological requirement for a single neurotrophin for their continued survival in the adult.
Author List
Stucky CL, Shin JB, Lewin GRAuthor
Cheryl L. Stucky PhD Professor in the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgingAnimals
Apoptosis
Electrophysiology
In Situ Hybridization
Mechanoreceptors
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Nerve Growth Factors
Neurons, Afferent
Neuroprotective Agents
Neurotrophin 3
Receptor, trkB
