GAP JUNCTIONAL NETWORK IN RAT DORSAL ROOT GANGLION : LOCALIZATION OF GAP JUNCTIONS IN DORSAL ROOT GANGLION AND CHANGES IN THEIR NUMBER AFTER PERIPHERAL AXOTOMY

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Gap junctions are specialized areas of the cell membrane that connect neighboring cells and synchronize electrical and metabolic communication between cells. Recently their presence between the satellite cells in spinal ganglia was reported using electron microscopy or dye injection. It is still unknown how gap junctions contribute to satellite cell function. We sought to identify the distribution of gap junctions in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) as well as the changes in their numbers after peripheral axotomy to aid in identifying their function. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to examine the distribution of gap junctions in dorsal root ganglia of the adult rat and compared the number in operated groups (two weeks after peripheral axotomy) with a non-operated group. Gap junctions were positive for connexin 43 and were distributed nonuniformly over the DRG. We found that the junctions tended to assemble together and increased after peripheral axotomy. These results suggest that the satellite cells might form a network via gap junctions.
名古屋市立大学の論文
2005-03-28