Expression of interleukin-1 beta in rat dorsal root ganglia

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 118; no. 2; pp. 203 - 211
• Main Authors: Copray, J.C.V.M., Mantingh, I., Brouwer, N., Biber, K., Küst, B.M., Liem, R.S.B., Huitinga, I., Tilders, F.J.H., Van Dam, A.-M., Boddeke, H.W.G.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 30-08-2001
• Subjects: Animals; Calbindin 2; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide - biosynthesis; Cell Size; Cytoplasm - metabolism; Cytoplasm - ultrastructure; Dorsal root ganglion; Female; Ganglia, Spinal - cytology; Ganglia, Spinal - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; interleukin 1 receptors; interleukin 1^b; interleukin 1b; Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-1 - genetics; Interleukin-1β; Male; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Neuroglia - cytology; Neuroglia - metabolism; Neurons, Afferent - cytology; Neurons, Afferent - metabolism; Polyribosomes - metabolism; Polyribosomes - ultrastructure; Rats; Receptors, Interleukin-1 - biosynthesis; Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; S100 Calcium Binding Protein G - biosynthesis; Sensory neurons; Substance P - biosynthesis; Type 1 interleukin-1 receptor; Sensory neurons; Dorsal root ganglion; Interleukin-1β; Type 1 interleukin-1 receptor
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-5728(01)00324-1

The expression of interleukin-1β was examined in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from adult rats using non-radioactive in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. At all spinal levels, approximately 70% of the DRG neurons appeared to express IL-1β mRNA; about 80% of these DRG neurons actually appeared to produce the IL-1β protein at markedly varying levels. The expression of IL-1β was found in large as well as in intermediate diameter sensory neurons but only sporadically in the population of small sensory neurons. The population of IL-1β immunopositive sensory neurons included most of the large calretinin-positive Ia afferents, but only a few of the small substance P/CGRP positive sensory neurons. In situ hybridization staining for the detection of type 1 IL-1 receptor showed expression of this receptor by most of the sensory neurons as well as by supportive glial-like cells, presumably satellite cells. The functional significance of IL-1β in the DRG neurons needs to be elucidated, but we speculate that IL-1β produced by DRG neurons may be an auto/paracrine signalling molecule in sensory transmission.