Quantitative study of NPY-expressing GABAergic neurons and axons in rat spinal dorsal horn

Polgár, E., Sardella, T.C.P., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A.J. (2011) Quantitative study of NPY-expressing GABAergic neurons and axons in rat spinal dorsal horn. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 519(6), pp. 1007-1023. (doi: 10.1002/cne.22570)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cne.22570

Abstract

Between 25-40% of neurons in laminae I-III are GABAergic, and some of these express neuropeptide Y (NPY). We previously reported that NPY-immunoreactive axons form numerous synapses on lamina III projection neurons that possess the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1r). The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of neurons and GABAergic boutons in this region that contain NPY, and to look for evidence that they selectively innervate different neuronal populations. We found that 4-6% of neurons in laminae I-III were NPY-immunoreactive and based on the proportions of neurons that are GABAergic, we estimate that NPY is expressed by 18% of inhibitory interneurons in laminae I-II and 9% of those in lamina III. GABAergic boutons were identified by the presence of the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) and NPY was found in 13-15% of VGAT-immunoreactive boutons in laminae I-II, and 5% of those in lamina III. For both the lamina III NK1r-immunoreactive projection neurons and protein kinase Cc (PKC gamma)-immunoreactive interneurons in lamina II, we found that around one-third of the VGAT boutons that contacted them were NPY-immunoreactive. However, based on differences in the sizes of these boutons and the strength of their NPY-immunoreactivity, we conclude that these originate from different populations of interneurons. Only 6% of VGAT boutons presynaptic to large lamina I projection neurons that lacked NK1rs contained NPY. These results show that NPY-containing neurons make up a considerable proportion of the inhibitory interneurons in laminae I-III, and that their axons preferentially target certain classes of dorsal horn neuron.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sardella, Dr Thomas and Beresford-Polgar, Dr Erika and Todd, Professor Andrew
Authors: Polgár, E., Sardella, T.C.P., Watanabe, M., and Todd, A.J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Journal of Comparative Neurology
ISSN:0021-9967

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
403051AMPA receptors in the spinal dorsal horn - synaptic distribution and plasticity in pain statesAndrew ToddWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)076976/Z/05/ZInstitute of Neuroscience and Psychology