FGF13 Is Required for Histamine-Induced Itch Sensation by Interaction with Na1.7.

Itch can be induced by activation of small-diameter DRG neurons, which express abundant intracellular fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13). Although FGF13 is revealed to be essential for heat nociception, its role in mediating itch remains to be investigated. Here, we reported that loss of FGF13 in mouse DRG neurons impaired the histamine-induced scratching behavior.

FGF13 Selectively Regulates Heat Nociception by Interacting with Na1.7.

The current knowledge about heat nociception is mainly confined to the thermosensors, including the transient receptor potential cation channel V1 expressed in the nociceptive neurons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG). However, the loss of thermosensors only partially impairs heat nociception, suggesting the existence of undiscovered mechanisms. We found that the loss of an intracellular fibroblast growth factor (FGF), FGF13, in the mouse DRG neurons selectively abolished heat nociception.

Somatosensory neuron types identified by high-coverage single-cell RNA-sequencing and functional heterogeneity.

Sensory neurons are distinguished by distinct signaling networks and receptive characteristics. Thus, sensory neuron types can be defined by linking transcriptome-based neuron typing with the sensory phenotypes. Here we classify somatosensory neurons of the mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) by high-coverage single-cell RNA-sequencing (10 950 ± 1 218 genes per neuron) and neuron size-based hierarchical clustering.

Fibroblast growth factor 7 is a nociceptive modulator secreted via large dense-core vesicles.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 7, a member of FGF family, is initially found to be secreted from mesenchymal cells to repair epithelial tissues. However, its functions in the nervous system are largely unknown. The present study showed that FGF7 was a neuromodulator localized in the large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) in nociceptive neurons.

Activin C expressed in nociceptive afferent neurons is required for suppressing inflammatory pain.

Emerging evidence suggests that the suppressive modulators released from nociceptive afferent neurons contribute to pain regulation. However, the suppressive modulators expressed in small-diameter neurons of the dorsal root ganglion remain to be further identified. The present study shows that the activin C expressed in small dorsal root ganglion neurons is required for suppressing inflammation-induced nociceptive responses.

Follistatin-like 1 suppresses sensory afferent transmission by activating Na+,K+-ATPase.

Excitatory synaptic transmission is modulated by inhibitory neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. We found that the synaptic transmission of somatic sensory afferents can be rapidly regulated by a presynaptically secreted protein, follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), which serves as a direct activator of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (NKA). The FSTL1 protein is highly expressed in small-diameter neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG).

Potentiation of excitatory transmission in substantia gelatinosa neurons of rat spinal cord by inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha.

Background: It has been shown that estrogen is synthesized in the spinal dorsal horn and plays a role in modulating pain transmission. One of the estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), is expressed in the spinal laminae I-V, including substantia gelatinosa (SG, lamina II). However, it is unclear how ERs are involved in the modulation of nociceptive transmission.

Coexpression of delta- and mu-opioid receptors in nociceptive sensory neurons.

Morphine-induced analgesia and antinociceptive tolerance are known to be modulated by interaction between delta-opioid receptors (DORs) and mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in the pain pathway. However, evidence for expression of DORs in nociceptive small-diameter neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and for coexistence of DORs with MORs and neuropeptides has recently been challenged. We now report, using in situ hybridization, single-cell PCR, and immunostaining, that DORs are widely expressed not only in large DRG neurons but in small ones and coexist with MORs in peptidergic small DRG neurons, with protachykinin-dependent localization in large dense-core vesicles.

Myelin-basic protein-reactive specific CD4+ and CD8+ NK lymphocytes induce morphological changes in neuronal cell bodies and myelin sheaths: implications for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by loss of myelin. However, data indicate that autoimmune cells could directly impair neuronal cell bodies and myelin sheath is lacking. The aim of the present study was to determine morphological evidence of the direct impairment of neurons by autoreactive lymphocytes and to further identify the subtypes of these lymphocytes.

[Effect of leptin on growth hormone secretion and apoptosis of GH3 cells].

In order to investigate the effect of leptin on the secretion of rat pituitary adenoma GH3 cell and its mechanisms, we observed the effect of leptin on the growth hormone secretion, proliferation and apoptosis of GH3 cells. The results indicated that leptin at 1, 10, and 100 nmol/L could inhibit the basal growth hormone secretion of GH3 cells in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05).

[Three subtypes expressions of leptin receptor in the rat anterior pituitary and influence of leptin on intracellular free Ca2+ of the rat growth hormone cell].

Aim: To observe the expression of Leptin receptors (OB-R) in male rat anterior pituitary, and study the influence of Leptin on the level of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in the cultured growth hormone (GH) cell of male rat pituitary.

Methods: RT-PCR method was used to observe the expression of Leptin receptors (OB-R) in male rat anterior pituitary. We used grade centrifuging method to get growth hormone (GH) cell, and [Ca2+]i in GH cell was examined by laser scanning confocal system.

[Enhancement effect of IL-2 on the proliferation of cultured mammary carcinoma cell line Bcap-37].

Aim: To investigate the effects of IL-2 on the proliferation of human mammary carcinoma cell line Bcap-37 and explore its possible mechanism.

Methods: Enhancement effect of IL-2 on proliferation of cultured Bcap-37 cells, the IL-2 expression on the cells, the expressions of IL-2Ralpha, beta, gamma mRNAs in the cells, the effect of IL-2 on DNA content at various periods of cell cycle and on Ca(2+) concentration in the cells were detected or observed by MTT colorimetry, immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR, flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscope, respectively.

Results: IL-2 of 1x10(5) to 1x10(6) U/L significantly stimulated the proliferation of cultured Bcap-37 cells.

Estrogen influences the differentiation, maturation and function of dendritic cells in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Aim: To examine if estrogen can affect the immune response at the dendritic cells (DCs) level in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods: Lewis rats were immunized with inoculum containing MBP(68-86). DCs were derived from spleen monocytes of EAE rats with IL-4 and GM-CSF in presence of 17 beta-estradiol (E2).

[Effect of tamoxifen on proliferation of cultured breast cancer and cervical carcinoma cell lines].

Aim: To investigate the effects of tamoxifen on proliferation of human breast cancer Bcap-37 cells and cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and to explore it's possible mechanism.

Methods: The techniques of cell culture, growth curves, flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscope were used.

Results: Tamoxifen (10(-6) mol/L) shifted the growth curve of Bcap-37 cells downward, and shifted the growth curve of HeLa cells upward.

[Expression of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in human tongue squamous cancer cell and influence of beta-estradiol on the proliferation of tongue cancer cell].

Aim: To observe the expression of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in human tongue squamous cancer line Tca8113 cell, and to study the influence of beta-estradiol (beta-E2) on the proliferation and cell cycle of cultured Tca8113 cell.

Methods: Immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR methods were used to observe the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) in human tongue squamous carcinoma line Tca8113 cell. 3H-TdR incorporation and cell cycle analysis were used to examine the change of proliferation and DNA synthesis of Tca8113 cell.

[Expression of interleukin-2 receptors on breast cancer cell line MCF-7 cells].

Aim: To investigate the expression of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2Rs) on MCF-7 cells, estradiol's regulation of IL-2Rs expression and the influence of IL-2 on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.

Methods: Immunocytochemistry and flow cytometric analysis were used to investigate the expression of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2Rs) by using of specific IL-2R polyclonal antibody; MTT method and 3H-TdR incorporation method were used to examine the changes of proliferation of MCF-7 cells.

Results: IL-2Ralpha, beta, gamma like immunoreactive substances can be found on MCF-7 cells and the IL-2Rgamma immunostaining was more strong than the other two.