NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND VISCERAL SENSORY NEURONS

结状神经节的内脏感觉神经元支配主要器官 胸部和腹部的系统，并且是内脏器官的组成部分， 与维持体内平衡有关的反射。 这些基板衍生的 内脏感觉神经元含有多种神经肽， 神经递质，其内容不是静态的。 不过小 已知的是， 成熟结状神经节的神经肽和神经递质酶 神经元 拟议的研究将确定运输的作用 因子和去极化信号对特异性 这些神经元中的神经肽和神经递质酶。 我们最初 研究将进一步阐明神经化学识别和可塑性 结状神经节神经元在原位和体外的。 组织培养 范例将用于评估神经肽和 神经递质酶mRNA在个体神经元中的表达， 失去目标接触和去极化影响的变化。 我们 提出参与调节的靶源性调节剂 神经肽和神经递质酶mRNA表达包括 特异性逆行转运的神经营养素。 因为位置- 衍生的神经元对其他神经营养因子有反应，脑衍生的 神经营养因子（BDNF）和神经营养素参与调节 结状神经节神经元的成熟神经元表型主要是BDNF NT-3。 第二组研究将确定哪些成员国 神经营养因子受体TrK家族与结节病相关 神经节神经元，它们与特定的神经化学的关系- 定义神经元。 特异性神经营养素的逆行转运 (NGF、BDFN、NT-3）在结状神经节神经元中的表达。 一 最后一组研究将确定NGF、BDNF和/或NT-3的作用 结状神经节神经元在体内和体外。 这些内脏感觉 神经元对于内脏稳态至关重要，并且与许多 内脏调节的病理学（例如高血压、肺 功能障碍、胃肠道疾病）。 了解法规 神经肽和神经递质酶的表达 对于理解并最终操纵他们的 各种条件下的化学神经元传递模式， 病理学 同样，神经营养因子在基板中的作用的知识- 感觉神经元的衍生群体将提供更大的 了解神经营养作用作为治疗剂在各种 精神紊乱

Visceral sensory neurons of the nodose ganglion innervate major organ systems of the thorax and abdomen, and are an integral part of visceral reflexes involved in maintaining homeostasis. These placode-derived visceral sensory neurons contains multiple neuropeptides and putative neurotransmitter, the content of which is not static. However, little is known about the epidgetic influences on the expression of neuropeptides and neurotransmitter enzymes in mature nodose ganglion neurons. The proposed studies will determine the roles of transported factors and depolarizing signals on the regulation of specific neuropeptides and neurotransmitter enzymes in these neurons. Our initial studies will further clarify the neurochemical identifies and plasticity of nodose ganglion neurons both in situ and in vitro. A tissue culture paradigm will be used to evaluate changes in neuropeptide and neurotransmitter enzyme mRNAs in individual neurons resulting from both loss of target contact and changes in depolarizing influences. We propose that the target-derived regulatory agents involved in modulating neuropeptide and neurotransmitter enzymes mRNA expression include specific retrogradely-transported neurotrophins. Because placeode- derived neurons are responsive t other neurotrophins, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurothrophisn involved in regulation of mature neuronal phenotypes of nodose ganglion neurons are primarily BDNF and NT-3. A second set of studies will determine which member(s) of the TrK family of neurotrophin receptors is(are) associated with nodose ganglion neurons that their relationship with specific neurochemically- defined neurons. The retrograde transport of specific neurotrophins (NGF, BDFN, NT-3) in nodose ganglion neurons will also be evaluated. A final group of studies will determine the role of NGF, BDNF and/or NT-3 nodose ganglion neurons in vivo and in vitro. These visceral sensory neurons are critical for visceral homeostasis, and relate to the many pathologies of visceral regulation (e.g. hypertension, pulmonary dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders). Understanding the regulation of neuropeptides and neurotransmitter enzymes expression by these neurons is important in understanding, and ultimately manipulating, their patterns of chemical neuron-transmission under various conditions and pathologies. Likewise, knowledge of neurotrophin actions in a placode- derived population of sensory neurons will provide a greater understanding of neurotrophic actions as therapeutic agents in a variety of disorders.