targeted-toxins

Zinck ND, Downie JW (2008) IB4 afferent sprouting contributes to bladder dysfunction in spinal rats. Exp Neurol 213:293-302. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.06.006

Summary: Spinal cord injury can cause inefficient bladder function, but the direct cause is not well understood. Most work has focused on afferent neurons that contain CGRP and respond to NGF. Here the authors investigate the role of isolectin B4 (IB4)-expressing neurons that are supported by GDNF. Rats received intrathecal injections of either 2.4 µg IB4-SAP (Cat. #IT-10) or 3 µg control saporin (Cat. #PR-01). The data suggest that IB4-afferent sprouting is involved in bladder dysfunction following spinal cord transection.

Related Products: IB4-SAP (Cat. #IT-10), Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)

Takakura AC, Moreira TS, Stornetta RL, West GH, Gwilt JM, Guyenet PG (2008) Selective lesion of retrotrapezoid Phox2b-expressing neurons raises the apneic threshold in rats. J Physiol 586:2975-2991. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.153163

Summary: It is thought that transcription factor Phox2b-expressing glutamatergic interneurons are involved in the activation of breathing by elevated CO2 in the central nervous system. This activation is otherwise known as the central chemoreflex. Injections of SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11) into the retrotrapezoid nucleus eliminated Phox2b+TH- neurons but spared other neuron classes. Several different amounts of the conjugate were used (0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 ng in 1 or 2 injections). Elimination of ≥70% of Phox2b+TH- neurons markedly attenuated the central chemoreflex.

Related Products: SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11)

Darmani NA, Wang Y, Abad J, Ray AP, Thrush GR, Ramirez J (2008) Utilization of the least shrew as a rapid and selective screening model for the antiemetic potential and brain penetration of substance P and NK1 receptor antagonists. Brain Res 1214:58-72. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.03.077

Summary: This work investigated the role of central tachykinin NK1 receptors in delayed phase vomiting caused by chemotherapeutics. Least shrews received 1.2 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections of SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11). Saporin (Cat. #PR-01) and blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21) were used as controls. In response to administration of a NK1 receptor agonist lesioned animals vomited less than the control group, indicating an important role for NK1 receptors in emesis.

Related Products: SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11), Saporin (Cat. #PR-01), Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21)

Li AJ, Dinh TT, Ritter S (2008) Hyperphagia and obesity produced by arcuate injection of NPY-saporin do not require upregulation of lateral hypothalamic orexigenic peptide genes. Peptides 29(10):1732-1739. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.05.026

Summary: It has already been shown that lesioning NPY receptor-expressing cells in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and basomedial hypothalamus produces obesity in rats. The authors examined the contribution of orexigenic peptides, orexins, and melanocortin-concentrating hormone to the lesion effects. Rats received bilateral 24 ng injections of NPY-SAP (Cat. #IT-28) into the dorsal border of the Arc. Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21) was used as a control. The data suggest that obesity produced by NPY-SAP lesion is different than dietary obesity or obesity associated with leptin or leptin receptor deficiency.

Related Products: NPY-SAP (Cat. #IT-28), Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21)

Li A, Emond L, Nattie E (2008) Brainstem catecholaminergic neurons modulate both respiratory and cardiovascular function. (eds. Poulin MJ, Wilson RJA). In: Integration in Respiratory Control. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 605:371-376. Springer, New York, NY. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-73693-8_65

Summary: The authors examined the role of brainstem catecholamine (CA) neurons in various aspects of breathing and chemoreception. Rats received 5-µg injections of anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03) into the 4th ventricle; mouse IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-18) was used as a control. This method of lesioning left the CA neurons in the peripheral nervous system intact. Lesioned animals displayed a constant decrease in breathing frequency, reduced response to CO2, and increased variability of breathing during REM sleep. Inhibitory cardiovascular effects were also seen.

Related Products: Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03), Mouse IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-18)

Young EE, Baumbauer KM, Hillyer JE, Patterson AM, Hoy KC, Jr., Mintz EM, Joynes RL (2008) The neonatal injury-induced spinal learning deficit in adult rats: central mechanisms. Behav Neurosci 122:589-600. doi: 10.1037/0735-7044.122.3.589

Summary: This report examined whether neonatal injuries had any contralateral effects in adult life, and evaluated the role of the NK1 receptor of adult animals that had been subjected to neonatal trauma. Rats were injected with 5 µl of SP-SAP (Cat. #IT-07, 30 ng/µl, 100 ng/µl, or 300 ng/µl) into the intrathecal space. Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21) was used as a control. The results indicate both that injury effects are isolated in the injured limb, and NK1 receptor-expressing cells are involved in processing this pain.

Related Products: SP-SAP (Cat. #IT-07), Blank-SAP (Cat. #IT-21)

Nattie E, Li A (2009) Central chemoreception is a complex system function that involves multiple brain stem sites. J Appl Physiol 106:1464-1466. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00112.2008

Summary: This short review discusses central chemoreception and the different neuronal subtypes that play roles in this process. The use of anti-SERT-SAP (Cat. #IT-23) and anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03) is mentioned in the context of how the loss of each of these cell types affects CO2 response in rats.

Related Products: Anti-SERT-SAP (Cat. #IT-23), Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03)

Laalou FZ, de Vasconcelos AP, Oberling P, Jeltsch H, Cassel JC, Pain L (2008) Involvement of the basal cholinergic forebrain in the mediation of general (propofol) anesthesia. Anesthesiology 108:888-896. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e31816d919b

Summary: The authors examined whether the basal forebrain cholinergic system is involved in mediating the effects of general anesthesia. Three different forms of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) administration were used: intracerebroventricular injection of 2 µg, 0.4 µg injected into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis, and 0.8 µg into the medial septum/vertical diagonal band of Broca. The results suggest that loss of cholinergic neurons in the cortex and hippocampus leads to potentiation of the anesthetic effects of Propofol.

Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01)

Craig LA, Hong NS, Kopp J, McDonald RJ (2008) Emergence of spatial impairment in rats following specific cholinergic depletion of the medial septum combined with chronic stress. Eur J Neurosci 27:2262-2271. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06179.x

Summary: Although it is clear that loss of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain is intrinsic to Alzheimer’s disease, interaction of this loss with other factors in causing the disease symptoms has not been completely elucidated. Rats received bilateral injections of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) into the medial septum and vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca totaling 0.075 µg. Lesioned animals were not impaired in a water maze task, but lesioning combined with stress caused a significant reduction in performance.

Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01)

Harati H, Barbelivien A, Cosquer B, Majchrzak M, Cassel JC (2008) Selective cholinergic lesions in the rat nucleus basalis magnocellularis with limited damage in the medial septum specifically alter attention performance in the five-choice serial reaction time task. Neuroscience 153:72-83. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.01.031

Summary: The cognitive deficits reported in rats on use of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) are varied. Here the authors examined the effect of lesions in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) when septal damage was kept to a minimum. The NBM received bilateral 0.2-µg injections of 192-IgG-SAP, and the animals were then tested in a 5-choice serial reaction time task. The disruption of sustained visual attention remained, but other variables such as motivational, locomotion, and impulsivity-related biases were close to normal.

Related Products: 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01)