2007 Targeting Trends Review

Aztiria E, Capodieci G, Arancio L, Leanza G (2007) Extensive training in a maze task reduces neurogenesis in the adult rat dentate gyrus probably as a result of stress. Neurosci Lett 416(2):133-137. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.01.069

Summary: Ascending cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain modulate hippocampal neurogenesis, although it is not clear if the modulation is direct or indirect. In this study rats experienced extended training in a spatial navigation task following 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) lesions. 192-IgG-SAP was injected into the basal forebrain nuclei and the cerebellar cortex. Although the lesioned animals displayed an 80% reduction in neuron proliferation in the dentate gyrus, extended training and learning did not affect proliferation.

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

Potts JT, Fong AY, Anguelov PI, Lee S, McGovern D, Grias I (2007) Targeted deletion of neurokinin-1 receptor expressing nucleus tractus solitarii neurons precludes somatosensory depression of arterial baroreceptor-heart rate reflex. Neuroscience 145(3):1168-1181. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.01.001

Summary: Previous work by these authors examined the role of substance P in arterial baroreflex. Here, 1.5 ng bilateral injections of SP-SAP (Cat. #IT-07) into the caudal nucleus tractus solitarii of rats were used to further elucidate the fundamental role of substance P in this system. The depressive effect of somatosensory input by neurokinin-1 receptor-expressing neurons on arterial baroreceptor-heart rate reflex was abolished in lesioned animals.

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

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Martinez L, de Lacalle S (2007) Astrocytic reaction to a lesion, under hormonal deprivation. Neurosci Lett 415(2):190-193. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.01.020

Summary: One effect of estradiol on astrocytes is the mediation of neuronal sprouting. Astrocytes express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in response to injury, but estradiol has been shown to repress GFAP expression. Ovariectomized female rats received 15 ng of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) into the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca, followed by long-term estrogen treatment. The results suggest that estradiol deprivation may exacerbate the effects of a cholinergic lesion, and administration of estradiol may aid the recovery of lesioned cholinergic neurons by blocking GFAP expression.

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

Quinlivan M, Chalon S, Vergote J, Henderson J, Katsifis A, Kassiou M, Guilloteau D (2007) Decreased vesicular acetylcholine transporter and alpha(4)beta(2) nicotinic receptor density in the rat brain following 192 IgG-saporin immunolesioning. Neurosci Lett 415(2):97-101. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.08.065

Summary: The vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) is a useful imaging target to assess Alzheimer’s disease, since this transporter is expressed on cholinergic cells that are lost as the disease progresses. Through the use of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) the authors demonstrate the use of two radioligands, one that binds VAChTs, the other which binds nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The results show the efficacy of each radioligand, as well as the loss of nAChRs on cholinergic neurons after treatment with 192-IgG-SAP.

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

Pascual J, Heinrichs SC (2007) Olfactory neophobia and seizure susceptibility phenotypes in an animal model of epilepsy are normalized by impairment of brain corticotropin releasing factor. Epilepsia 48:827-833. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01024.x

Summary: Olfactory recognition has been linked to epilepsy in behavioral phenotype models. This work examines the role brain stress neuropeptides play in the manifestation of neurological perturbations. Mice were injected with 2 µg/5 µl of CRF-SAP (Cat. #IT-13) into the lateral ventricle. Saporin (Cat. #PR-01) was used as a control. The lesioned mice displayed a temporary reduction in seizure susceptibility, and the reversal of olfactory deficits towards the detection of food.

Related Products: CRF-SAP (Cat. #IT-13), Saporin (Cat. #PR-01)

Ferry B, Herbeaux K, Cosquer B, Traissard N, Galani R, Cassel JC (2007) Immunotoxic cholinergic lesions in the basal forebrain reverse the effects of entorhinal cortex lesions on conditioned odor aversion in the rat. Neurobiol Learn Mem 88:114-126. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2007.01.007

Summary: The entorhinal cortex (EC) is intimately involved in olfactory learning. Lesioning of this structure produces septo-cholinergic sprouting. Rats that had previously received EC lesions were treated with 5-µg intracerebroventricular injections of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01). The results point to a role for hippocampal cholinergic neurons in the modulation of memory processes involved with conditioned odor aversion.

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

Bailey AM, Lee JM (2007) Lesions to the nucleus basalis magnocellularis lower performance but do not block the retention of a previously acquired learning set. Brain Res 1136:110-121. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.12.028

Summary: A major source of cholinergic innervation to several cortices is the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Rats were trained to acquire an olfactory discrimination learning set, then were lesioned with 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) or quisqualic acid. 0.075 µg of 192-IgG-SAP was administered in 2 sets of bilateral infusions. While treated animals performed poorly following the surgery, performance improved to better than expected by chance during the second trial. The authors discuss the role of the NBM in cognitive flexibility.

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

Gravitt K, Marson L (2007) Effect of the destruction of cells containing the serotonin reuptake transporter on urethrogenital reflexes. J Sex Med 4:322-331. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00436.x

Summary: Using the fact that the urethrogenital (UG) reflex is an autonomic and somatic response, the authors developed a model for ejaculatory-like reflexes. Anti-SERT-SAP (Cat. #IT-23) was bilaterally injected into the ventrolateral medulla of rats. 80 nl of a 1 µM solution removed inhibition of the UG reflex after acute spinal cord transection, while this reflex could not be evoked in control animals. The data suggest that SERT-expressing neurons in the ventral medulla are involved with the inhibition of UG reflex.

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

Zhao P, Waxman SG, Hains BC (2007) Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-regulated microglia-neuron signaling by prostaglandin E2 contributes to pain after spinal cord injury. J Neurosci 27:2357-2368. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0138-07.2007 PMID: 17329433

Summary: Spinal cord injury frequently leads to the development of long-term chronic pain. Recent data has shown that activated microglia are involved in the maintenance of this pain state. Following a spinal cord contusion injury rats were treated with a 36-µg injection of Mac-1-SAP (Cat. #IT-06) into the lumbar enlargement. Treated animals were found to have reduced microglial staining, reduction in prostaglandin E2 levels, and fewer pain-related behaviors.

Related Products: Mac-1-SAP mouse/human (Cat. #IT-06), Antibody to Mac-1 (Cat. #AB-N06)

Alenda A, Nunez A (2007) Cholinergic modulation of sensory interference in rat primary somatosensory cortical neurons. Brain Res 1133:158-167. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.11.092

Summary: One critical feature of cognition is the ability to focus on selected sensory inputs while ignoring irrelevant inputs. In this work the authors examine basal forebrain participation in sensory interference effects. Following 0.15 µg bilateral injections of 192-IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-01) into the basal forebrain of rats, the ability of primary somatosensory cortical neurons to respond in the presence of sensory interference was assessed. A decrease in the number of neurons showed sensory interference in lesioned animals.

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