Localization of CGRP and VEGF mRNAs in the mouse superior cervical ganglion during pre- and postnatal development

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mediates inflammation and head pain by influencing the functional vascular blood supply. CGRP is a well-characterized mediator of receptor-regulated neurotransmitter release. However, knowledge regarding the role of CGRP during the development of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is limited. In the present study, we observed the localization of CGRP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) mRNAs during prenatal development at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), E17.5 and postnatal day 1 (P1) using in situ hybridization. The antisense probe for CGRP was detected by in situ hybridization at E14.5, E17.5, and P1, and the highest levels were detected at E17.5. In contrast, the antisense probe for VEGF-A was detected by in situ hybridization in gradually increasing intensity from E14.5 to P1. The differences in the expression of these two markers revealed specific characteristics related to CGRP concentration and release compared to those of VEGF-A during development. The correlation between CGRP and VEGF-A may influence functional stress and the vascular blood supply during prenatal and postnatal development.

Download Full-text

In situ hybridization study of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), PACAP receptor, VIP receptor and VIP2 receptor mRNAs in the rat adrenal gland and superior cervical ganglion

The Japanese Journal of Pharmacology ◽

10.1016/s0021-5198(19)44834-8 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 82

Author(s):

Hiroyuki Nogi ◽

Hitoshi Hashimoto ◽

Nami Hagihara ◽

Kyohei Yamamoto ◽

Akemichi Baba

Keyword(s):

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Adrenal Gland ◽

Adenylate Cyclase ◽

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽

Superior Cervical Ganglion ◽

Hybridization Study ◽

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase ◽

Cervical Ganglion ◽

Receptor Mrnas

Download Full-text

Effect of Axotomy on Expression of NPY, Galanin, and NPY Y1 and Y2 Receptors in Dorsal Root Ganglia and the Superior Cervical Ganglion Studied with Double-Labeling in Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemistry

Experimental Neurology ◽

10.1006/exnr.1999.7329 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 162 (2) ◽

pp. 361-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Marc Landry ◽

Kristina Holmberg ◽

Xu Zhang ◽

Tomas Hökfelt

Keyword(s):

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Dorsal Root Ganglia ◽

Superior Cervical Ganglion ◽

Dorsal Root ◽

Double Labeling ◽

Cervical Ganglion

Download Full-text

Expression of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in normal rat tissues

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.1993.264.4.c995 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 264 (4) ◽

pp. C995-C1002 ◽

Cited By ~ 240

Author(s):

W. T. Monacci ◽

M. J. Merrill ◽

E. H. Oldfield

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Rat Tissues ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vascular Permeability Factor ◽

Organ Specific ◽

Normal Rat ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

The Brain

Vascular permeability factor (VPF)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a approximately 43-kDa secreted protein that has been shown in bioassays to induce endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis, and capillary hyperpermeability. VPF has been suggested to play an important role in the physiology of normal vasculature. To further elucidate the natural functions of VPF in vivo, the expression of VPF in normal tissues was examined using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. VPF mRNA is expressed in the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen of the healthy adult rat. On Northern blots, the relative abundance of VPF mRNA observed in these tissues was highest in the lung and lowest in the spleen. As determined by in situ hybridization, the patterns of VPF expression are organ specific. Hybridization of an antisense VPF probe was concentrated in the cerebellar granule cell layer of the brain and in the glomeruli and tubules of the kidney. In the liver and lung, intense hybridization was observed homogeneously throughout both tissues, demonstrating that VPF mRNA is present in virtually every hepatocyte and pulmonary alveolar cell. Hybridization to the spleen was weaker and more diffuse. The widespread expression and organ-specific distribution of VPF mRNA in normal rat tissues supports the suggestion of an extensive role for this factor in the physiology of normal vasculature.

Download Full-text

Urocortin: a mechanism for the sustained activation of the HPA axis in the late-gestation ovine fetus?

AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1152/ajpendo.00497.2001 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 283 (1) ◽

pp. E165-E171 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Alison C. Holloway ◽

David C. Howe ◽

Gabriel Chan ◽

Vicki L. Clifton ◽

Roger Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Situ Hybridization ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Pituitary Cells ◽

Fetal Sheep ◽

Antisense Probe ◽

Pomc Mrna ◽

Ovine Fetus ◽

Ovine Fetal ◽

Sustained Activation

We hypothesized that urocortin might be produced in the pituitary of the late-gestation ovine fetus in a manner that could contribute to the regulation of ACTH output. We used in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to identify urocortin mRNA and protein in late-gestation fetal pituitary tissue. Levels of urocortin mRNA rose during late gestation and were associated temporally with rising concentrations of pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA. Urocortin was localized both to cells expressing ACTH and to non-ACTH cells by use of dual immunofluorescence histochemistry. Transfection of pituitary cultures with urocortin antisense probe reduced ACTH output, whereas added urocortin stimulated ACTH output from cultured pituitary cells. Cortisol infusion for 96 h in chronically catheterized late-gestation fetal sheep significantly stimulated levels of pituitary urocortin mRNA. We conclude that urocortin is expressed in the ovine fetal pituitary and localizes with, and can stimulate output of, ACTH. Regulation of urocortin by cortisol suggests a mechanism to override negative feedback and sustain feedforward of fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function, leading to birth.

Download Full-text