Distribution and identity of neurons expressing the oxytocin receptor in the mouse spinal cord

作者：Wrobel Ludovic; Schorscher Petcu Ara; Dupre Anouk; Yoshida Masahide; Nishimori Katsuhiko; Tribollet Eliane^*

来源：Neuroscience Letters, 2011, 495(1): 49-54.

DOI：10.1016/j.neulet.2011.03.033

• Autonomic system
• Oxytocin receptor
• Pain
• Sacral dorsal gray commissure
• Spinal cord
• Substantia gelatinosa

Oxytocin can influence various spinal functions. However, little is known about the spinal neuronal networks responsible for oxytocin effects. The aim of this study was to localize and characterize spinal neurons expressing oxytocin receptors. We used an oxytocin receptor-reporter mouse in which the fluorescent protein Venus is expressed under the control of the oxytocin receptor gene promoter. At all segmental levels. Venus-expressing neurons were most numerous in the substantia gelatinosa, mingled with protein kinase C gamma interneurons in the innermost layer of the inner lamina II, which, in contrast to the outer two thirds of this layer, does not receive nociceptive input. Venus-expressing neurons were also observed in the intermediolateral and sacral parasympathetic nuclei, where they represented about 5% of presumed preganglionic neurons identified by choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity. Finally. Venus immunoreactivity was detected in lumbar and sacral dorsal gray commissures as well as in isolated neurons scattered in different regions of the dorsal horn. Altogether, our results establish the location of neurons putatively involved in oxytocin modulation of spinal functions, in particular of sexual functioning and nociception.

• 出版日期2011-5-9