Neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in dentate gyrus is increased following angular bundle transection

Byoung J. Gwag, Francis Sessler, Kelly Kimmerer, Joe E. Springer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the central nervous system, the highest levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA are found in the hippocampal formation. In the present study, we report that a unilateral transection of the angular bundle, which relays cortical information via the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampal formation, increases NGF and BDNF mRNA in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus. Within 4 hours following transection, the hybridization signal for NGF and BDNF mRNA increases in stratum granulosum 3- and 5-fold, respectively, compared to control levels. This lesion-induced increase of both mRNA returns to control levels within 24 hours and is maintained for at least 5 days. The induction is not prevented by pretreatment with AP-5, CNQX, or cholinergic denervation due to transection of the fimbria-fornix. Finally, the induction of neurotrophin mRNA is preceded by an increase in c-fos mRNA. These results provide evidence that transection of the cortical input to the hippocampal formation upregulates NGF and BNDF mRNA selectively in stratum granulosum. We suggest that the increased expression of NGF and BDNF mRNA may be an early step in the synaptic rearrangement of neurotrophin responsive cholinergic afferents observed following damage to the entorhinal cortex.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-29
Number of pages7
JournalBrain Research
Volume647
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 30 1994

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
These studies were funded by PHS grants AG08969 and NS30502, and the Alzheimer Research Center at Hahnemann. The authors would like to thank S. Whit-temore, I. Black, and Cephalon, Inc. for providing the NGF, BDNF, and c-los cDNA, respectively.

Keywords

  • Gene expression
  • Hippocampal formation
  • Hybridization (in situ)
  • Neuronal plasticity
  • Neurotrophic factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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