Requirement for nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors in vivo

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Requirement for nerve growth factor in the development of myelinated nociceptors in vivo
Creators Name:	Ritter, A.M., Lewin, G.R., Kremer, N.E. and Mendell, L.M.
Abstract:	In adult animals, sensory neurons innervating the skin are phenotypically diverse1–3. We have now investigated whether nerve growth factor (NGF) has a physiological role in the development of this diversity. We gave antisera against NGF to rats from postnatal day 1 (PND 1) to adulthood (5 weeks). We found a virtually complete depletion of high threshold mechanoreceptors conducting in the Aδ range (2–13 m s−1) in the sural nerve. This afferent type, normally present in large numbers, appeared to have been replaced by D-hair afferents, sensitive mechanoreceptors which normally are relatively rare. NGF deprivation had this effect only in early postnatal life; treatment from postnatal day 14 to adulthood had no effect. We conclude that the presence of NGF postnatally in skin is necessary for the proper phenotypic development of Aδ cutaneous nociceptors.
Keywords:	Afferent Neurons, Afferent Pathways, Aging, Inbred Strains Rats, Mechanoreceptors, Myelin Sheath, Nerve Growth Factors, Neural Conduction, Nociceptors, Passive Immunization, Skin, Rats, Animals
Source:	Nature
ISSN:	0028-0836
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	350
Number:	6318
Page Range:	500-502
Date:	11 April 1991
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/350500a0
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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